Thursday, June 14, 2007
Mary Ann spent about one-fourth of Tomas’ P2.007M; Guardo says he spent only about P676,000
By Linette C. Ramos
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña was the biggest spender in the last elections in the city, with P2,007,886.70 in reported expenses, half of which went to the honorarium of poll watchers for his party.
Osmeña also got the highest amount in contributions, with P1.45 million coming from his sister Minnie and friends. He spent
only P57,886.70 from his personal funds.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
Defeated mayoral candidate Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos spent only one-fourth of what the mayor spent, or some P526,000.
Among the mayor’s contributors are Lakas-NUCD (P500,000), his sister Minnie (P650,000), businessman Luis Aboitiz (P500,000), Eduardo Ledesma (P100,000), Eligio Pacaña Jr. (P100,000) and Ma. Luisa Alvendia (P100,000).
Even with his political advertisements aired on primetime television, defeated congressional candidate for the south district Jonathan Guardo reported he spent only P676,935.04 in personal funds for his campaign.
The ads cost him P426,935.04.
25 on time
Reelected Rep. Antonio Cuenco (south district) spent P685,184 from the P700,000 in contributions that he received.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama spent P723,030.69 in personal funds for his campaign, while his rival Raymond Garcia spent P372,309.31.
Of the P500,000 he got from Lakas-NUCD, north district Rep. Raul del Mar spent P411,476.32 while his opponent Florencio Villarin spent P350,000 in personal funds. Villarin is a retired official of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Twenty-five candidates in the May 14 polls beat the deadline set and submitted their statements of electoral expenses and contributions to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City offices yesterday.
The report is a requirement for the elected officials to assume office on June 30.
But Comelec Regional Attorney Lionel Castillano said yesterday that the regional office received a text message from the central office that the Comelec en banc approved Resolution 8160, which extended the deadline for the submission of statements to June 29.
New deadline
“Our office just received a message about the resolution on the extension of the deadline to June 29. And it makes sense because the elected officials will not be assuming office until June 30,” he said yesterday.
Based on the statements submitted, the candidates spent within the allowable amount, which is P3 per registered voter in the locality where they are running.
In Cebu City’s north district, congressional and council candidates who are with a political party can spend only up to P628,338, while those running in the south district are allowed to spend only up to P754,596.
A total of 209,446 voters are registered in the north district, while the south district has 251,532 registered voters.
Among the city council aspirants, reelected Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa reported the highest electoral expense, having spent P508,500 in personal funds.
Other reelected councilors who submitted their statements of expenses and contributions are Hilario Davide III (P372,525.75), Edgardo Labella (P294,469.10), Augustus Pe Jr. (P357,815.50), Christopher Alix (P259,000), Sylvan Jakosalem (P425,255.80) and Nestor Archival (P363,926.16).
Councilor-elect and Banilad Barangay Captain Lea Japson also reported her expenses amounting to P218,919.87.
Defeated candidates Jose Navarro spent P500,000 in personal funds; Rodrigo Jabellana, P500,000; Jenkin Cabanit, P500,000; Fritz Quiñanola, P192,845; Eliseo Tumulak, P10,000; and Leah Ong, P200,000.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 14, 2007 issue)
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