Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao spent PHP 66,428,468.88 during the senatorial campaign according to Statement of Contributions and Expendtures (SOCE) submitted to the Comission on Elections (Comelec).
Pacquiao, a boxer turned legislator, did not receive any cash and in-kind contributions from any sources or from his political party.
With no donations, "Pacman" can function his duties, agree to a bill he wanted to support, and create his own bill without taking any consideration the vested interest of donors. Pacquaio being known to his constituent in Sarangani where he serves as congressman for two terms in providing services funded from his own pocket.
According to the law, the salary of a Philippine senator is PHP 90,000 per month. This is equivalent to PHP 6,480,000 total salary in the 6-year term.
Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed to end corruption in government once he assumes office in the afternoon of 30th June 2016. He said that he will use PDAP (also known as pork barrel fund or discretionary funds) to increase the salaries of the police force and military.
Congressmen and Senators were provided with millions of funds coming from PDAP for the improvement of their constituents but the said funds have been misused.
According to Merriam Defensor Santiago, senators earn as much as PHP 5 million monthly from other senate funds. This is not included the "discretionary funds under the control of a senator could also range from P2.7 million to P4.5 million," according to Santiago.
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