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