REELECTED Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of the third district of Cebu had the highest campaign expenditures among the seven candidates who filed their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) yesterday.
In her SOCE, Garcia spent P884,906.72, which was mostly spent on stationery, printing and distribution of printed materials relative to candidacy with an amount of P734,550.25. The rest were spent on newspaper, radio, TV and other advertisement to promote the candidacy including website/Internet ad (P80,000), printing of sample ballots (P43,012), and travel expenses during the campaign (P27,344.47).
Garcia’s rival for the congressional seat, outgoing Provincial Board (PB) member Grecilda Sanchez, who also filed her SOCE, spent P516,013.34. Both Garcia and Sanchez declared that they paid the expenses out of their own pockets.
The other candidates who filed their SOCE were reelected Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of the 4th district with P173,477.50; reelected PB member Miguel Magpale of the 5th district with P20,081.36 and reelected PB member Christopher Baricuatro of the 7th district with P37,292. Losing candidates Jamafe Zamora also declared spending P836,000 while Salvador Saromines spent P36,800.
Acting Cebu Provincial Comelec Supervisor Eliseo Labaria reminded the candidates that issuances of compliance certificate that will be issued to reelected candidates after they have filed their SOCE will only be up to June 8.
Those who fail to submit their SOCEs will pay a fine and will not be allowed to take their oath of office.