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The findings from the "Pera’t Pulitika" working group highlight significant issues in campaign spending during the 2007 elections, exposing violations of established media airtime limits by multiple candidates. The project aimed to generate data on campaign expenditures, raise public awareness, and identify reform areas, all in preparation for the 2010 elections. Key recommendations include stronger enforcement by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the need for legislative reforms, and the establishment of a dedicated unit for campaign finance compliance to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Pera’t PulitikaFindings and RecommendationsCampaign Spending in the 2007 Elections:A Challenge to 2010 Elections August 27, 2008
Background • Working group formed in late 2006 • Undertook pioneering work on campaign spending monitoring • Pera’t Pulitika Working Group: Access to Information Network, Consortium for Electoral Reforms, Libertas, Transparency and Accountability Network, and Dr. Edna Co and her team of analysts
Project Objectives • To generate data on campaign spending; • Heighten public awareness; • To identify areas for reform; • To prepare for larger monitoring for the 2010 elections.
Campaign Limits Expenditures: • P3.00/registered voter for candidates with a political party (approx. P135mil for senatorial candidates) Reference: Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Election Law Use of media: • TV airtime: 120 min/region • Radio airtime: 180 min/region Reference: Republic Act 9066 or the Fair Election Act
Top 12 Individual Spenders on Political Advertisements, 2007 [Estimates] Candidates Who Have Exceeded Spending Limits …and 7 spent at least P100m
Top 12 Candidates with Most Minutes on TV, 2007 7 Senators Exceeded TV Airtime Limits *Note: Potential Presidential Candidate for 2010
Top 12 Candidates with Most Minutes on Radio, 2007 6 Senators Exceeded Radio Airtime Limits *Note: Potential Presidential Candidate for 2010
Findings The monitoring showed clear violations by certain candidates of the limits on media airtime, including 3 “presidentiables” (Villar, Legarda, Escudero) Large spending on political ads did not ensure victory in the national race. Our monitoring data showed candidates may have violated campaign spending limits.
Recommendations • Comelec must have the political will to monitor and enforce laws on campaign spending and use of media. • The enactment of a political party and electoral reform bill are critical steps in improving relations between money and politics in the country. • The Comelec should issue a public disclosure policy declaring all documents public, under the principle of the people’s right to know and the state’s duty to disclose. • A unit dedicated to ensuring compliance with and enforcement of existing campaign finance laws and regulations in Comelec should be created. - The Comelec should clarify “airtime” limits. One of PAP’s major findings is the candidates’ clear violation of allowable airtime limit.