Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 5953.

Introduced by Representative Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to increase to realistic price levels the authorized expenses of
candidates and political parties for campaign purposes.

Sections 100 and 101 of the Omnibus Election Code (BP Blg. 881) set the limit upon
expenses of candidates and political parties at P1.50 for every currently registered voter. That
was in 1985. The limit was raised in 1991 under RA No. 7166 to P10.00 for President and
Vice-President, P5.00 for political parties and independent candidates, and P3.00 for other
candidates. It remained unchanged until the 2013 elections.

The limit on campaign expenditures pegged at prices 24 years ago has become
disproportionate to the rising Consumer Price Index. As a result, candidates in recent
elections have become less and less transparent in their statements of election contributions
and expenditures if only to comply with the reportorial requirements.

Raising the limit will not only encourage transparency in reporting election
expenditures but will also provide a more accurate basis in computing taxes due on such

campaign expenditures actually incurred by a candidate or political party.

Itis therefore intently requested that this bill be passed,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._5953

Introduced by Representative Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr.

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166 BY
INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES
AND POLITICAL PARTIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7166 is hereby amended to read, as
follows:

“Section 13. Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Political Parties. ~
‘The aggregate amount that a candidate or registered political party may spend
for election campaign shall be as follows:

(a) For candidates. — Thirty Pesos (P30.00) for President, [and]
Vice-President, and Senator; Twenty Pesos (P20.00) for
Member of the House of Representatives, Regional and
Provincial Governor and Vice-Governor, and City and
Municipal Mayor and Vice-Mayor; and for other candidates
Ten Pesos (P10.00) for every voter currently registered in the
constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy:
Provided, That a candidate without any political party and
without support from any political party may be allowed to
spend Twenty Pesos (P20.00) for every such voter; and


(b) For political parties and party-list groups. — Twenty Pesos
(P20.00) for every voter currently registered in the
constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates.”

The Commission on Elections shall adjust the amounts
authorized once every three (3) years based on the prevailing
Consumer Price Index.

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. ~ If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain
in force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instruction,
executive orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of

this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,