EDITORIAL - Undue advantage

The New People’s Army is reportedly contributing to the campaign kitties of certain candidates. The story is not surprising; similar stories have circulated in previous elections, with left-leaning candidates said to be the principal beneficiaries. That is where the “revolutionary taxes” and permit-to-campaign fees extorted by the NPA supposedly go.

While the stories remain in the realm of speculation, it should not be impossible to verify at least some of the cases. As part of efforts to bring transparency to campaign finance, the Commission on Elections can partner with agencies capable of following money trails to ferret out questionable sources of campaign funds.

The effort should not stop with candidates believed to be enjoying financial support from the NPA, but should include those suspected to be receiving campaign contributions from jueteng lords and smugglers. Some candidates are believed to be directly involved in criminal activities including bank and armored van robberies and carjacking. The Comelec can coordinate with law enforcement agencies to zero in on these candidates, whose sources of campaign funding can then be scrutinized.

Laws on campaign contributions and expenditures need to be strengthened. But even without legislation, it’s possible for the Comelec, in coordination with agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, to regulate campaign finance.

The Philippine National Police and its mother agency, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, can do their part by spearheading efforts to stop NPA extortion activities and discourage candidates from paying permit-to-campaign fees. Such extortion activities undermine the democratic process and can constitute an offense under the new law against electoral sabotage.

In free elections, no candidate should enjoy undue advantage. Raising funds through extortion and other illegal activities is among the worst forms of undue advantage, and should be stopped. This is not an impossible task.