Gordon welcomes Comelec's proposed P1-M bond
to weed out nuisance bets

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today welcomed a proposal by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) requiring a P1-million bond among those running for national positions in 2010 elections.

Gordon, author of the amended Automated Elections Law, said the proposal should encompass other aspects such as letting the government shoulder the campaign expenses of presidential candidates.

"The proposed regulation is good because it would stop 'nuisance' candidates from running in the presidential, vice presidential and senatorial elections," he said.

"Pero dapat dagdagan natin ito and let the government pay for the expenses of presidential candidates to level the playing field for serious candidates who have no financial means," he added.

Gordon earlier proposed that the government should shoulder the expenses for the electoral campaign of serious presidential candidates

He has also filed Senate Bill No. 2079 which proposes tri-media exposure for candidates, to present vision and platform of government through televised debates.

Gordon said his proposal is aimed at leveling the playing field among presidentiables, adding it is unfair that only candidates with sufficient campaign funds can hog the air times, which does not result to intelligent voting.

He further explained that his proposal would also see the end of prevailing situations where the top official of the land is beholden to those who contributed to his campaign fund and thus, making it difficult for him to deny favors they asked.

Gordon stressed that there should be strict monitoring to ensure that candidates would adhere to the amount of campaign expenses per voter allowed by the election law.