President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. spent a total of P623-million pesos for his presidential campaign, based on his submitted statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) on Tuesday, June 7.
Marcos’ SOCE arrived at the finance office of the Commission on Elections two days before the deadline of submission for those who ran for higher positions in the recent May 9 elections,
According to Atty. Drixel Dabatos, part of Marcos’ legal team, all resources for his campaign were from in-kind and cash donations.
“Kasi ang registered voters natin ay 67 million then we have P10 budget for each voter. So pasok kami sa ano [spending limit],” Dabatos said.
There is also over P1 million excess from the contributions which will be declared in the president-elect’s taxable income.
Meanwhile, Guillermo Eleazar, Antonio Trillanes IV, Jose Diokno, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Carl Balita, Win Gatchalian, Herbert Bautista, Rodolfo Javellana, and Chiz Escudero also submitted their SOCE on Tuesday.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the winning candidates who failed to submit their SOCE will not be allowed from taking oath and will be prohibited from holding a public office if they run again in the next elections.
Republic Act 7166 states that failure to file statements or reports in electoral expenditures and contributions “shall constitute an administrative offense for which the offenders shall be liable to pay an administrative fine” ranging from P1,000.00) to P30,000.00). –Report from Karen Villanda/KC-ag
