Namfrel seen as accounting arm of Comelec campaign finance unit

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering making elections watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) its accounting arm in monitoring campaign finance for the 2013 elections. Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, who also heads Comelec's campaign finance unit, confirmed this on Wednesday, saying that they approved of NAMFREL’s experience in accounting. This means NAMFREL may be tasked to audit candidates' statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs), which are reports of expenses incurred for election-related purchases such as tarpaulins, television advertisements and music jingles by candidates. It also includes donors' contributions during the election season. “Mayroon silang connections with the accounting firms,” Lim said, naming NAMFREL’s chairperson Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo, a certified public accountant and the former chair of the Social Security System. He also named David Balangue, NAMFREL co-chairperson, an incumbent Securities and Exchange commissioner who was once the president of local auditing giant Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. Although they initially petitioned to do the random manual audit of election returns, NAMFREL secretary general Eric Alvia said they would be willing to assist the Comelec in campaign finance. “’Yung trabaho essentially is for making sure that the candidates for political parties comply with spending restrictions,” Alvia said. According to Comelec Resolution 9476, a President or Vice President can only spend P10 per voter, while other candidates with parties can spend P3 for each voter registered in their respective constituency. Candidates without a party can only spend P5 per voter. The NAMFREL official added that they would also monitor sources of contributions, which could involve taxpayers' money going into campaign kitties. Comelec is prohibiting contributions from, among others, public and private financial institutions, government officials, foreign corporations, and natural or juridical persons operating a public utility. “We also want to make sure that there is no undue advantage to incumbents in using their position, in using state funds for their campaign. This is precisely why we are pushing also for proper observance of campaign finance is because we want to make sure that there is level playing field also in the political arena,” Alvia said. He added they may also assign their volunteers to monitor television advertisements even before the campaign period. Candidates have the freedom to prematurely campaign since the law only requires Comelec to monitor campaign finance during election period. “Right now it is very clear that the bulk of the expenses is geared towards broadcast expenses and advertising,” Alvia said. Although premature campaigning is not a violation for the Comelec, Alvia said it is an “unethical practice.” The Comelec has so far accredited known NAMFREL rival Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as its citizens’ arm for the 2013 midterm elections. PPCRV also served as the commission's citizens' arm for the 2010 elections. “The Commission recognizes PPCRV as one of the organizations which has established its membership and structure all over the Philippines and has demonstrated its capacity to promote public interest,” according to the resolution penned by Commissioner Rene Sarmiento. While the Comelec has yet to accredit NAMFREL, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. hinted that NAMFREL's citizens' arm bid may be approved. The Comelec previously denied NAMFREL’s petition for the 2010 elections due to credibility and impartiality issues, having members either opposing or supporting some government officials. PPCRV then also questioned NAMFREL’s petition, specifically the power to conduct random manual audits. NAMFREL eventually dropped its bid. Section 52 of the Omnibus Election Code gives the Comelec the power to enlist non-partisan organizations to assist them in ensuring free, orderly and honest elections. — BM, GMA News