The Commission on Elections is lamenting a recent ruling of the Supreme Court, which declared as unconstitutional the limit imposed by the poll body on the amount of airtime that candidates can buy for political advertisements. Comelec officials said their Resolution 9615, which the SC struck down, was meant to level the playing field and give candidates who are not wealthy a fighting chance.
The Comelec, however, can still enforce its rules on campaign spending. Compliance with the rules, limited as they are, has been laughable. In the last elections, the Comelec announced with pride that it was tapping social media to monitor candidates’ compliance with caps on campaign spending, starting with the most tangible: the display of campaign posters and streamers, and distribution of gifts such as food and t-shirts to voters.
The success of the Comelec’s efforts is not clear. Campaign materials were still overwhelming in many communities, especially on election day. The Comelec announced it would work with revenue officials and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to trace spending by candidates suspected to have gone over the limits set by the poll body.
ER Ejercito was unseated by the Comelec as Laguna governor for overspending in his campaign. People are waiting for more public officials to be given the same penalty for violating election rules.
Politicians should welcome the strict enforcement of caps on campaign expenditures, and other attempts by the Comelec to tighten regulation of campaign funding. If properly enforced, these rules will bring down the cost of running for public office.
The opaqueness of campaign financing is one of the biggest roots of corruption in all levels of government. Sweetheart deals are given as a reward for campaign contributions. The appointment of unqualified individuals to public office to repay political debts is also one of the reasons for bad governance. Those professing to fight corruption should fully support the Comelec’s efforts.