| |
.. |
|
Comelec
to strengthen implementation of campaign finance rules
|
|
from
NAMFREL Election Monitor Vol.2, No.29 |
|
. |
The Comelec is planning to tap the help of
the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Commission on Audit
(COA), the Office of the Ombudsman, the Anti-Money Laundering
Council (AMLC) and even citizens' arms to
assist it in monitoring campaign spending in connection with the
2013 election. In a forum on campaign finance
held on December 19, Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim said
that they will also train their local
election officers ahead of May 2013 in data gathering and
enforcement of campaign finance rules. He also said
that Comelec's undermanned Law Department will serve as the campaign
finance unit of the Comelec for the
elections, but in the long term, a separate unit will be created to
handle the said function. Activities would
include monitoring of campaign advertisements and scrutiny of the
candidates' Statement of Contributions and
Expenses (SOCE).
Lim said the mid-term election is an experimental stage to enforce
campaign finance regulations in preparation
for the presidential election in 2016. He said more money for
campaign finances will pour in for the presidential
elections, making 2013 an opportunity to pinpoint legal loopholes
and plugging the loopholes. Tax records may
also be used in pinpointing campaign financing. The Comelec
commissioner said the poll body is also looking at
making sure public money is not spent on campaigning, which Lim said
is the worst form of campaign financing.
Also according to Lim, the Comelec is looking at tightening the
rules on allowable airtime for political
advertisements during the campaign. He said that he has already
filed a draft resolution clearly stating 120
minutes and 180 minutes airtime for television and radio as the
total allowed airtime for a candidate during the
campaign period. He said however that the Comelec has no control
over product endorsements and
commercials before the start of the campaign period, but they will
be counted against the allowable limit if still
broadcast during the campaign. A candidate who violates the allowed
time limit could face possible
disqualification under the Fair Elections Act, Lim said.
(Sources: ABS-CBN; PDI) |
|
|
|
|
| |
.
.
. |
|
| |
| |
|
|
