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30 ENHANCING ELECTIONS AS INSTRUMENTS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE ASEAN REGION

party that espouses violence as a means to achieve its political goals is
entitled to accreditation. To participate in elections, a registered political

party must submit to the COMELEC a list of its current elected officials,
national executive committee members, and local chapter chairs as well
as a party platform and party list of candidates.

Campaign Financing. Election expenditures and contributions
are regulated under the Omnibus Election Code and the Synchronized

Elections and Electoral Reforms Law of 1991, as well as implementing
resolutions of COMELEC. There is no limit on the value of contributions

to candidates or parties from legal sources but electoral contributions
from the following entities are prohibited: public educational institutions,
foreign nationals or corporations, public and private financial institutions,

public utilities, corporations that hold government contracts, and
corporations that have been granted franchises, incentives, exemptions,

allocations or similar privileges or concessions by government. There is
no public funding for elections but candidates can receive free and equal
time to campaign on government-owned/ operated broadcast outlets.

Candidates for President, Vice-President, and the Senate are
prohibited from spending more than ten pesos (Ph Peso 10) for every
registered voter. All other candidates are allowed to spend a maximum of

three pesos (Ph Peso 3) for every registered voter in his/her constituency.
A political party can spend a maximum of five pesos (Ph Peso 5) for

every voter currently registered in the constituency where the party is
fielding candidates.

Candidates and treasurers from all political parties are required
to submit to COMELEC itemized statements of all campaign contributions
and expenditures within thirty (30) days after the day of the election.