Neophyte Senator Camille Villar emerged as the top spender in the recently concluded May 2025 senatorial elections, declaring a total expenditure of P179.6 million, based on her Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
According to the official report, Villar, who successfully secured a Senate seat, received P159.6 million in campaign contributions, with the remaining balance presumably covered through personal funds or other allowed sources. Her campaign spending placed her ahead of other prominent candidates, including veteran politicians and fellow winners.
Coming in second in total declared campaign spending was reelected Senator Lito Lapid, who reported expenses amounting to P163.5 million. Despite his relatively low profile in campaign rallies and advertisements, Lapid managed to once again gain public support while keeping his spending within a competitive range.
Senator Pia Cayetano, another winning candidate, ranked third with P162 million in total campaign expenses. Interestingly, she was the recipient of the highest reported contributions, totaling over P169 million, indicating strong financial backing from various sectors.
Among the losing candidates, several notable names who ran under the administration’s slate also reported substantial campaign expenditures. Former MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos declared a total of P160 million spent, followed by Makati Mayor Abby Binay with P157 million, and former Senator Francis Tolentino with P149 million in expenditures.
The figures reflect the continued high cost of running a national campaign in the Philippines, with millions required for media advertisements, logistics, staff, and campaign materials. The SOCEs are mandated under Philippine election law and are submitted to the Comelec for transparency and compliance purposes.
Comelec officials have reminded candidates that failure to file accurate and complete SOCEs could lead to penalties, including potential disqualification from holding public office in the future. As the 2025 midterm elections wrapped up, transparency in campaign financing remains a key focus in strengthening the country’s democratic processes.