Comelec to BSKE candidates: Follow 5-peso per voter authorized expense rule

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) maintains the current authorized expense of candidates amounting to five pesos per registered voter is enough. The statement comes as the campaign period for 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) officially starts on Thursday. Under the Omnibus Election Code, the allowable expense of candidates is five pesos per registered voter in the constituency where they filed their candidacies. According to Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, candidates will only campaign within their barangays, so the rate is adequate. “Bagamat talagang overly inflated na ito, ang kakampanyahan lang po naman ay barangay,” he said in an interview on Radyo 630. (Although this is already overly inflated, the campaign is only within the barangay.) BSKE candidates are not authorized to buy merchandise such as t-shirts and other paraphernalia for the voters. They are also not allowed to spend for entertainment or food during gatherings for their campaigns. Raffles and related activities are prohibited too. “Kaya po sa tingin namin, kahit na outdated ‘yang halaga ng P5 na ‘yan [per registered voter] ay sapat na para sa barangay and SK elections,” Laudiangco said. (So for us, even if it is already outdated, the five-peso amount will still be enough for barangay and SK elections.) In terms of campaign assemblies, entertainments and food distributions are not allowed as these actions constitute vote buying. By doing so, they exceed the authorized election expenditure. “‘Yan po kasi ay nakaka-impluwensya, nakaka-induce, at nakaka-corrupt ng voter,” Laudiangco said. (These influence, induce, and corrupt voters.) “At higit sa lahat po, lumalagpas po sila sa gastos na allowable na pwede nilang gastusin sa kampanya,” he pointed out. (And most especially, they exceed the allowable expense they can have for the campaign.) “Magiging vote buying po ‘yan, lalo na kung mamimigay sila ng direktang pagkain sa ating mga botante,” he specified. (That will be vote buying, especially if they are going to directly give food to the voters.) “So paalala po namin, hindi lang ‘yan illegal campaigning. Makakasuhan pa kayo ng vote buying na kasong kriminal po,” the Comelec spokesperson added. (So we give a reminder that such action will not only be illegal campaigning. You will also be charged with vote buying, which is a criminal case.) Laudiangco then identified inexpensive ways of campaigning. He said candidates may campaign by setting up a meeting de avance where they can explain their platforms. They Read more at: inquirer

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