Governor Roel Degamo claimed to have spent a total of P1,699,500 for his successful campaign for the governorship of Negros Oriental, while outdoing his better-funded rivals.
This was gleaned from Comelec records as candidates for various elective positions at the provincial and local levels in Negros Oriental filed their election expenditures just before the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) at 5 p.m. of June 13.
Candidates for the positions of governor, vice governor and members of the Provincial Board filed their expenditures at the provincial COMELEC office while those for mayor, vice mayor and councilors also submitted theirs at the city or municipal election office where they ran in the May 13 polls.
Topping the list at the provincial level was incumbent Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st district with a total spending of P2,289,679.12, records at the COMELEC showed.
Former Finance Sec. Margarito Gary Teves came out as the second highest spender with a declaration of P1,991.013.28.
Vice Governor-elect Dr. Mark Macias’ campaign spending and contributions was pegged at P100,211.60 while his defeated rival, former Negros Oriental State University president Dr. Henry Sojor, said he spent P360,000.
For congressional candidates, those who filed their campaign expenditures include re-elected Rep. George Arnaiz of the 2nd district (P751,100.00), his defeated rival and incumbent Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva (P391,154.60); defeated congressional candidate for the 1st district, Jerome Paras (P225,000.00); and re-elected Rep. Pryde Henry Teves of the 3rd district (P391,923.80).
Other available data at the provincial COMELEC office showed some of the candidates for Board Member with the “biggest” election spending and contributions, to include Dexter Villamor (P490,000); Mariant Escaño-Villegas (P174,323.00); Rommel Erames (P138,500.00); Maria Edita Vera (P112,402.00); Edmund Dy (P96,881.90); Erwin Macias (P95,000.00); Rouie David de los Santos (P90,500.00); Peve Ligan (P90,000.00); and Arturo Umbac, Jr. (P14,800.00).
Attachments such as official receipts for contributions and spending were submitted along with the expenditure forms, according to the provincial COMELEC office.
Based on COMELEC Resolution 9616 promulgated last January, all candidates are directed to file their contributions, expenditures and other campaign spending by June 13.
It was not immediately known whether all candidates have met the deadline as election offices in Negros Oriental were still collating data as of Friday.
Some candidates have informed the provincial COMELEC office that they had already mailed their election expenditures although these have not been received yet as of Friday. (PNA)