This early, Comelec warns future candidates against overspending

This early, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned political parties and future candidates in the coming 2007 elections against overspending amid reports of politicians showering their constituents with money, food and other gifts.

Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said the poll body would strictly enforce election rules and disqualify political parties and candidates who will spend more than allowed by law.

"We sometimes appeared to be hypocrite... it is in our country that no single candidate or political party has violated overspending. Not a single candidate has been convicted of overspending; not this coming elections," Borra said.

Although the law requires political parties and candidates to submit before the Comelec their expenses during the elections, they do not report the truth.

"You can see during the last elections, the use of the tri-media. Some people or some candidates used the tri-media and if you compute their expenses they have overspent," Borra pointed out.

To ensure that politicians and parties will strictly comply with the law, Borra said the Comelec will invoke their investigative and visitorial power.

"We will be deputizing not only Namfrel and PPCRV, but also the COA, the Philippine Accountants Organization to look into the records of the radio, TV and the newspapers whether this candidate availed of this propaganda opportunities in order that they have built in advantage over lowly income or poor candidates," Borra said.

Borra added that candidates and political parties found guilty of overspending would be disqualified.

"Even if they win, they cannot assume office unless they submit their statement of contributions and expenditures," he said.

Though the formal election period for campaigning starts around three months before the elections in May, many politicians and would-be candidates begin broadcasting their availability for candidacy long before this.

During the Christmas season for example, officials are known to give out gifts such as pens and coffee mug and calendars with pictures of themselves, both as a gesture of thanks and a possible reminder to voters in case they are running for a post in coming elections.

Stickers also start appearing in vehicles and similar public conveyances bearing slogans of prospective candidates, such as "Hulog ng Langit" and "Hinog na Hinog na si Danny Lacuna," especially in Sampaloc and Sta. Cruz in Manila.

Political ads as well as the so-called "white papers" are at their height during presidential elections, though the huge spending is also prevalent in midterm polls.

But with the recent crackdown on hazardous billboards, politicians and their respective advocacies have one fewer outlet to spend money on.