Lower House approves on 3rd and final reading measure seeking to increase cap on campaign expenses

Transcript

00:00 In recognition of the rising cost of almost anything imaginable, including campaign materials,

00:06 the lower house has approved a bill that seeks to increase the campaign spending limits of

00:10 candidates, something that the local official aspirants appreciate as this will provide

00:15 them more wiggle room in the campaign finances that would hopefully translate into votes.

00:21 Mela Las Moras has more.

00:25 Charlie Yusen Jr., a barangay chairman in Manila, has been a public official for nearly two

00:30 decades.

00:31 He said with the election period coming up, he couldn't help but ponder why campaign spending

00:36 limits have stayed unchanged.

00:38 "Because we're making it higher.

00:41 Maybe it's already high.

00:43 The campaign spending.

00:45 Yes.

00:46 Yes.

00:47 So how much do you think it should be, sir?

00:52 I can't estimate.

00:55 Just a few weeks before 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the House

01:01 of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed measures setting a higher

01:06 and more realistic cap for campaign expenses.

01:09 Currently, election candidates are limited to spending between P3 to P10 per registered

01:14 voter.

01:15 But the proponents of newly passed House Bill No. 8370 argued that these amounts are out

01:21 of date, hence their push for P30 to P50.

01:24 According to Commission on Election spokesperson John Rex Lojanco, the poll body is in support

01:30 of this proposal.

01:31 "The P1 in 2023 has changed a lot.

01:32 We just hope that if we change this on account of inflation and other monetary factors, the

01:43 amount should be reasonable."

01:45 As of now, the Komalik said they are almost 100% ready for the Barangay and SK elections

01:51 which will be held on October 30.

01:53 On August 28, the election period will commence, together with the filing of the certificates

01:58 of candidacy, and the poll body assured their offices are open even on holidays.

02:03 Meanwhile, amid the transfer of some barangays in Makati City to Taguig City, under a recent

02:09 order from the Supreme Court, the Komalik said the voters of affected areas should not

02:14 worry because they don't need to register again and they can vote without any problem.

02:19 "We don't see any challenge here because first of all, all the voters, their barangay, their

02:26 constituency, we will just transfer from Makati to Taguig.

02:30 In fact, when it comes to elections, the way they will vote will not change because it

02:36 is included in the transfer."

02:37 Mel Alasmoras for the Nation.