Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso admitted keeping unused campaign funds, maintaining he did not violate any laws as he paid his taxes for these.
Domagoso was the only presidential candidate who did not raise his hand when asked if candidates should return excess campaign funds to donors during the CNN Philippines presidential debate on Sunday, Feb. 27.
“I have to be fair with the Filipino people. Hindi ako nagsauli ng binigay saking tulong sa kampanya na sobra ngunit tinupad ko ang aking tungkulin bilang mamamayan na magbayad ng buwis. That’s why wala akong moral ascendancy to answer the question in favor (I did not return the excess campaign funds that I received but I fulfilled my duty as a citizen to pay taxes. That’s why I don’t have the moral ascendancy to answer the question in favor),” he said.
Domagoso, however, said he was hoping that lawmakers will pass a law governing excess campaign funds in the future.
“So that we can resolve it properly and fairly. What matters the most is you pay your tax,” he said.
Domagoso, meanwhile, denied receiving 15 billion dollars worth of donation from Bill Gates.
He made the statement when Jose Montemayor asked: "Eh paano naman po ‘yung 15 million dollars na ibinigay ni Bill gates. Isosoli niyo din po ba yon?”
In response, Domagoso presented a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) receipt to the lawyer.
“There is no such thing as 15 million dollars. It is prohibited by law, bawal pong tumanggap ng ganong klase. Wala po, it's not true, I don't know where you got it," he said.
Domagoso also agreed that a public servant should make public their statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).