peso luck Excess campaign funds used for drug war reward system, Duterte admits
MANILA, Philippines — The excess campaign funds of then-president Rodrigo Duterte were used for the reward system of police officers during his administration’s brutal war on drugs.
Duterte himself admitted this to Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez during the House of Representatives quad committee during its 11th probe on his controversial anti-drug campaign.
Article continues after this advertisement“I still remember that you mentioned na yung pera galing sa donation ng inyong campaign funds will be utilized for the reward system, that’s private money,” Fernandez said.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO New storm forecast to enter PAR Thursday to be named Pepito NEWSINFO Tensions flare as Brosas, Duterte trade barbs in drug war hearing NEWSINFO Typhoon Ofel keeps its strength over PH Sea; Signal No. 2 up in 2 areas(I still remember you mentioned that the money from the donation for your campaign funds would be utilized for the reward system.)
“Yes, pero galing sakin, di na private money kasi natanggap ko yan hawak ko na, I was holding to it when I was already… opisyal na ako,” Duterte immediately answered.
Article continues after this advertisement(Yes, from me, that is not private money; I received that, and I was holding to it when I was already an official.)
Article continues after this advertisementFernandez, however, asserted that the excess money should be “returned to the donors” under the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules.
Article continues after this advertisement“Maniwala… tanungin kita sinong kandidato nag-sauli?” Duterte asked, but Fernandez said that he’s not allowed to pop such question.
(I don’t believe that I will ask you to name a candidate who returned [the excess money])
Article continues after this advertisementThe lawmaker again asked the former chief executive if the excess money was utilized for the reward system.
“Public interest. To protect public interest, yes,” he said.
Asked about the excess campaign funds, Commission on Elections Chairperson George Garcia said that keeping them is not against the law.
“But since considered income siya, dapat magbayad ng income tax ang kandidato,” Garcia told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message.
(But since it’s considered income, the candidate has to pay taxes.)
Under Rule 5, Section 5 of Comelec Resolution No. 9991—or the Omnibus Rules and Regulations Governing Campaign Finance and Disclosure—it is also provided that “any unexpended balance from any contribution to candidate or party, also known as excess contributions, shall be subject to income tax”.
Likewise, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 31-2019 states that unused, or excess, campaign funds, including the net of the candidate’s or political party’s or party list’s campaign expenditures, “shall be considered as subject to income tax and as such, must be included in their/his taxable income as stated in their/his Income Tax Return.”
“No further deduction, either itemized or optional, shall be made against the said taxable income,” BIR said.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
In a Senate hearing last monthpeso luck, retired police colonel Royina Garma revealed that rewards given to police officers and officials involved in drug war operations under the “Davao template” range from P20,000 to P1 million.
READ NEXT Heavy rainfall warnings up over parts of Northern Luzon Soldier slain, 3 others hurt in NPA-AFP clash in Northern Samar EDITORS' PICK BARMM election code, IRR violate PH Constitution – Escudero Typhoon Ofel keeps its strength over PH sea; Signal No. 2 up in 2 areas Royina Garma may apply for asylum in the US, lawyer says EASL: Jericho Cruz ejected in another San Miguel loss Hints point to Belle Mariano singing Filipino version of ‘Moana 2’ track House probe into Duterte drug war won’t be fair – VP Sara MOST READ PH summons Chinese envoy to protest Bajo de Masinloc baselines Pagasa explains why Northern Luzon is often hit by recent typhoons LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Ofel New storm forecast to enter PAR Thursday to be named Pepito Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View commentsHot News
- 2024-10-10zamsino Women's Champions League: C
- 2024-10-06la bet88 F1: Williams Boss 'Surpris
- 2024-10-26victory casino PBA: Justin Brownlee know
- 2024-10-06jiliko Carlos Sainz Signs For Williams F
- 2024-11-04una game PBA: Justin Brownlee says RHJ a
- 2024-10-18tmt play Polymarket volume hits $2 billi
Related News
- victory casino Aga and Charlene on raisi
- lucky7 South Korea warns of 'de
- gambit city What Gives? Pakistan Cricket
- luhoplay From Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadha
- crown89 Six dead after floods in central