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CEBU, Philippines - Incoming governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide spent the biggest among all candidates of the Province of Cebu in last May’s elections.

He declared a total expenditure of P6,080,839.

More than half of this was contributed though paid advertisements in newspapers, radio and television outlets, websites and other online ad placements that totaled P3,560,573.

Davide also spent P861,000 for watchers in polling precincts and P246,978 for printing and distribution of printed campaign paraphernalia.

His opponent, One Cebu’s Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, spent P3,454,125.73 and received a total contribution of P2,256,575.

Davide won over Garcia with a lead of more than 160,000 votes.

Davide, a former Cebu City councilor and son of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, had 654,054 votes while Garcia, younger brother of suspended governor and incoming third district congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia, had 490,148.

All 43 candidates of the Province of Cebu in the May 2013 elections were able to beat the deadline yesterday in submitting their respective Statement of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SECE).

Incoming first district congressman Samsam Gullas was the last one to file his SECE.

Gullas submitted his SECE earlier in the day but had to change it since he used the old forms. He made it at 4: 50 p.m. or just 10 minutes before the office of the Commission on Elections closed.

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s candidate Glenn Anthony Soco declared a total expenditure of P3,357,279, all from his personal funds.

Acting governor and incoming vice governor Agnes Magpale spent P2,736,312 while One Cebu’s Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV spent P280,000 in his campaign.

Gwendolyn, on the other hand, said she spent P901,657 while her opponent, outgoing Pinamungahan Mayor Gaye Yapha spent P1,410,856.

Garcia won over Yapha as representative of the third district of Cebu.

Garcia’s father, outgoing second district representative Pablo Garcia spent P600,000 while his opponent, incumbent Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Wilfredo Caminero spent P808,652.

Caminero garnered 84,526 votes in the congressional race while Garcia only had 77,625 votes.

Reelected fourth district representative Benhur Salimbangon spent P450,000 while his opponent, former Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, spent P307,492.

Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s sixth district spent P788,612 while his opponent, former congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz spent P200,000.  Quisumbing got  reelected.

Former Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano who won as representative of the fifth district of Cebu spent P406,049.

According to Comelec regulations, each candidate is allowed to spend P3 for each voter while the political party is allowed another P5 for each voter.

All contributions and expenditures should be indicated in the SECE of each candidate supported by documents like receipts and contracts.

The Comelec stressed prior to the elections that they will be more strict in the submission of the SECE.

Comelec entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) stating that winning candidates who fail to submit their SECE will not be allowed to assume office on June 30.

Candidates who lost as well as those who withdrew their candidacy are also mandated to submit their SECE.

If they fail, the Comelec will impose penalties.   (FREEMAN)