Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
EXPENSES FOR CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED “AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND 
FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”, AS AMENDED  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a study about campaign expenditure and winning probability (Le, Onur, Sarwar and 
Yalcin, 2024)1, it was found that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship 
between campaign expenditure, campaign contributions and winning probability. Campaign 
spending plays a crucial role in shaping votes through information dissemination, voter 
motivation, and persuasion, more especially in the case of a neophyte going against an 
incumbent considered as institution in their political landscape. 
Unfortunately, campaign spending is regulated by Republic Act No. 7166 which was 
enacted on 26 November 1991. More than three decades have passed but the amount of 
authorized election campaign expenses for candidates and political parties remained the same 
as provided in Section 13, to wit: 
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. - Ten pesos (P10.00) for President and Vice-President; and
for other candidates Three Pesos (P3.00) 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 Five Pesos (P5.00) for every such voter; and
1 Le, T., Onur, I., Sarwar, R., & Yalcin, E. (2024). Money in Politics: How Does It Affect Election Outcomes? SAGE 
Open, 14(4). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241279659 (Original work published 2024) 
(Accessed: 08 August 2025). 
August 18, 2025
10:17 am
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(b) For political parties. - Five pesos (P5.00) for every voter currently registered
in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates.
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding any contribution in cash 
or in kind to any candidate or political party or coalition of parties for campaign 
purposes, duly reported to the Commission shall not be subject to the payment 
of any gift tax.” 
At this modern day and age, the costs of running for office have risen significantly due 
to various factors, including the emergence of social platforms, expansion of digital media and 
higher prices of traditional campaign materials. This proposed legislation recognizes that from 
1991, when RA 7166 was enacted, until today, prices have increased by at least four times. 
Thus, this bill proposes for an across-the-board increase of four times the amount stated under 
Section 13 of RA 7166. 
This representation is hopeful that the increased cap for election campaign expenses 
will not only promote transparency among political candidates, but also level the playing field 
among those who aspire to serve their respective constituencies. 
This bill also recognizes that the prices of goods and services are constantly moving 
due to inflation. For this reason, it authorizes the Commission on Election to adjust the amount 
of authorized campaign expenses per registered voter as the circumstances deem fit, in 
consultation with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Economy, Planning and 
Development and the Philippine Statistics Authority. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DALE B. CORVERA 
Representative 
Lone District of Agusan del Norte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
EXPENSES FOR CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED “AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND 
FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”, AS AMENDED 
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: 
“SEC. 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. – [Ten] FIFTY pesos [(P10.00)] (P50.00) for President
and Vice-President; and for other candidates [Three] Pesos FIFTEEN
[(P3.00)] (P15.00) 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 [Five] TWENTY FIVE Pesos
[(P5.00)] (P25.00) for every such voter; and
(b) For political parties. – [Five] FIFTEEN pesos [(P5.00)] (P15.00) for
every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies
where it has official candidates.
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding any contribution in cash 
or in kind to any candidate or political party or coalition of parties for campaign 
purposes, duly reported to the Commission shall not be subject to the payment 
of any [gift] DONOR’S tax.” 
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THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS SHALL, IN CONSULTATION 
WITH THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS, THE DEPARTMENT 
OF ECONOMY, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, AND THE 
PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, MAKE THE NECESSARY 
ADJUSTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN 
EXPENSES PER REGISTERED VOTER AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT 
BASED ON THE ENSUING NATIONAL INFLATION RATE AND 
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. 
 
SEC. 2. The Commission on Elections shall, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity 
of this Act, promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act. 
 
SEC. 3. If, for any reason, any section, clause, or provision of this Act is declared 
illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall remain in 
full force and effect.  
 
SEC. 4. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and 
other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
  
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,