Duterte Camp Stops Scratch Card Initiative to Raise Campaign Funds
"Stop it!" "I don't want it!". Those where the words of Davao City Mayor and Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte after hearing the news that a group in Mindanao started a scratch card initiative to raise campaign funds for Duterte's presidential campaign. But even before Duterte said his words on this fundraising scheme, it was already thwarted by Duterte Camp, through their legal team due to legal issues they might face.
According to Peter Tiu Lavina, one of Duterte's spokesperson, “it would be impossible for us to use this due to the reportorial requirements where donor must each execute and sign a notarized report of contribution.” despite the fact that this fundraising initiative does not fall under the forms prohibited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). He also added "The cards are not prohibited but reportorial requirements by Comelec on contributions would make it hard for us. We need to adjust. We already notified the sponsoring private group as well as our [political organizers],”
Duterte, on an interview a couple of days ago said that he also wanted the scratch cards to stop and this initiative don't have his permission. He also said that he would rather lose in the elections by not having the needed funds rather than the money of the people being used in corruption or in any forms of manipulation. He also do not want to accept money from businessmen, smugglers and any person who has government transactions.
The scratch cards were supposed to be sold at P25, P50, P100, P500, P1,000, P5,000, P10,000, P25,00, P100,000 and P500,000 and were to be sold to anyone who wants to donate to the campaign. These will be sold by the campaign coordinators themselves.
It is sad that this creative and innovative way of raising funds for the campaign of Mayor Duterte, who admitted that he don't have enough funds to run a national campaign. It would also been a great opportunity for ordinary people who were also very active in convincing Mayor Duterte to run for President 2 years ago to help Duterte's candidacy in their own little ways, more importantly a testament that if ever Duterte wins, it is the power and financial capabilities of the ordinary people, not by a certain businessmen and political persons that brought Duterte into Malacañang.
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Photo Credits: CNN Philippines Website
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