Candidates who gunned for the province’s gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, and congress seats spent a total of P5.7 million in the May 9 polls, according to the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) filed by the said bets.

Based on his SOCE, Vice Governor-elect and outgoing Provincial Board Member Dionisio Balite spent P2.3 million for his bid, the biggest campaign expense by a candidate who ran for a top post in the province. His opponent, incumbent Vice Governor Concepcion Lim spent only P60,842.

Re-elected Governor Edgar Chatto spent the second highest amount at P734,456 while his defeated rival outgoing Loay Mayor Rosemarie Imboy spent P567,633, the fourth biggest campaign expense.

Third District Representative Arthur Yap was the biggest spender among congressional aspirants, spending the third highest amount among top posts candidates at P700,558.

Opposing candidate outgoing Carmen Mayor Conchita Delos Reyes spent P201,701.

In the second district, winning candidate Erico Aristotle Aumentado recorded the fifth biggest spending, incurring a total of 541,232 in campaign expenses for his congressional bid.

Aumentado’s only opponent, Board Member Gerardo Garcia spent P60,499.

Re-elected congressman of the first district Representative Rene Relampagos spent a total of P463,077 while his opponents Cresencio Alturas and Joahna Initay spent P61,677 and 41,912, respectively.

In the board membership race, incoming Sangguniang Panlalawigan neophyte Nino Rey Boniel spent the highest amount, incurring a campaign expense of P592,135 while another newcomer Dionisio Victor Balite who spent a total of 475,780 was ranked second. (with reports from Rey Tutas)