Noynoy spent P403 million for campaign

MANILA, Philippines - President-elect Benigno Aquino III spent more than P403 million for his campaign, based on his Statement of Contribution and Expenditures filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The expenditures fall within the spending limit of P508 million for presidential candidates.

The Comelec yesterday extended the deadline for the filing of the expenditure statement to June 24.

Under the Fair Election Act, those gunning for the presidency are allowed to spend P10 per voter. 

There were more than 50.8 million registered voters in the last elections.

In his expenditure statement, Aquino said contributions “from other persons” reached P440 million. 

The statement did not indicate how much of his personal funds were used as campaign expenses.

Defeated presidential aspirant Manuel Villar, who was perceived to be the biggest spender among the presidential bets, reported more than P431.5 million campaign expenditures.

He did not report having received any campaign contribution.

Administration bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he spent more than P3.4 million from his personal funds and P64,688 in contributions while Jamby Madrigal said her campaign expenses totaled only P736,371.

Vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda reported spending P210.2 million and receiving contributions of P195.2 million.

Senator-elect Vicente Sotto III’s personal campaign expenses stood at P51.2 million while contributions totaled P47.4 million.

Re-electionist Senators Jinggoy Estrada posted expenditures of P69.1 million and contributions of P57 million, while Lito Lapid listed spending of P28.8 million and contributions of P14.6 million.

Ramon Revilla Jr. reported spending more than P77 million but gave no figures for contributions.

Defeated administration senatorial candidate Raul Lambino claimed to have spent more than P7.8 million and received P3.5 million in contributions.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the Comelec decided to extend the deadline for the filing of campaign expenditure statements upon the request of party-list group Akbayan.