Aquino still has P37 million campaign funds
Newly President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has declared P440 million in campaign contributions, but only P403 million of this was spent.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday Aquino is not forced to return to the P37 million.
“If there’s anything that’s in excess, that’s their responsibility. Comelec has no oversight on that. So however they want to spend it, they’re answerable to their donors. Kay Noynoy na iyon or sa organization niya,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Many of the donors are wealthy businessmen.
Among them were Martin Ignacio Lorenzo of Del Monte Phils., who gave P20 million; Bu Hong Chiong from Ozamis City, donated P20 million; and Leonardo Javier Jr. of Andoks, shelled out P14 million.
David Lim and Elena Lim of the Solid Group of Companies donated P10 million each.
Felix Ang of Cats Motors contributed P10 million; Abeto Uy of Philsteel Group of Companies, P10 million; Gerardo Esquivel, a businessman-friend of Aquino, donated P10 million; businessman Alex Tanwangco, P10 million; Josephine Reyes of the Far Eastern University donated P5 million; and mining magnate Buddy Zamora contributed P5 million.
Fulgencio Factoran Jr., who served as environment secretary during the administration of Cory Aquino, contributed P20 million.
Three million pesos were from Howard Dee, former Philippine ambassador to the Vatican.
Aquino’s sister, Kris, shelled out P15 million pesos.
Based on Aquino’s statement of election contribution and expenditures, the donations were made in cash.
According to a poll body, it is possible some of the donations were not disclosed, because of the rule limiting campaign expenses, to only half a billion pesos.
“Tingnan lang natin iyong posters. I believe there are some posters printed ‘by friends of…’, so hindi cash ‘yon. In kind na kaagad iyon. That should be declared. Ang ide-declare mo, value of donation,” Jimenez said.
The Comelec said it it is not easy for the Aquino’s camp to know whether or not the funds came from legitimate sources.
“Kunwari ikaw, meron kang vested interest at gusto mong magbigay ng pera sa kandidato, siyempre hindi mo ipapangalan sa sarili mo. Magbibigay ka ng tao na magpapangalan sa donasyon na tatanggapin ng kandidato bilang donasyon from some person,” he said.
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