Where do parties’ campaign funds come from?

Election time is an awaited event in DLSU. Students eagerly await room-to-room campaigns of candidates, and representatives from political parties are unusually keen on interacting with unknowing spectators.  Friendships are made (and lost) in the same week.

Amid the running, complex, complicated gears of the General Elections, one should wonder how all the mass-distributed tarpaulins, laminated IDs and other props are produced. The answer, of course, lies in funding.

Funding for campaign period is sourced from both parties’ members and candidates, each with their own strategies of acquiring resources.

Santugon President Jojo Pugeda mentions that Santugon sources its funds from selling campaign paraphernalia and novelty items, as well as other fundraising activities, the solicitation of campaign funds from its members and alumni notwithstanding.

Tapat’s former President and current candidate for Vice President for Internal Affairs Gab Andres says that during campaign period, aside from materials like tarpaulins and posters, photo shoots and a teambuilding activity, the most important item the party spends on is the printing of the GPOA, or General Program of Action.

Alumni of the party have the option to help out in the funding, but most of the time the present members’—core members and running candidates—efforts and contributions are enough to source the campaign.

Andres elaborates that running for a different position in the USG corresponds to different fees; one supplies a higher candidate’s fee as his or her mandate increases, proportionally to fit the size of the population to be catered to. Amounts range from Php 500 up as high as Php 7000; these figures take into consideration developments such as the integration of the Science and Technology Complex.

Alvin Liu, Chairperson of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) clarifies that his office does not have any mandate over the expenses of political parties during elections. He adds that it is up to each party to gather their funds, and use them according to their needs.