TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (15 June) -- Among the provincial level candidates here Governor-elect Rodolfo P. del Rosario has topped the declared election-related expenditures.

Del Rosario has bared a total of P1, 216,711.76 in his itemized statement of contributions and expenditures, submitted to the Commission on Election (Comelec) provincial office.

Comelec election supervisor Atty. Marlon Casquejo noted the figure as well within what was allowed.

Citing the Omnibus Election Code, Casquejo explained Thursday that candidates running for governor and vice governor under party affiliation could only spend P3.00 for every registered voter while the independents could shell out P5.00 per voter.

In the case of Davao del Norte which had a total of 428,817 voters, a party-affiliated candidates could spend a maximum of P1,286,451 while independents could cough up as much as P2 million.

Much of Del Rosario's expenses were on political adds which amounted to a total of P632,371 or 52 percent of his total expenditures. The rest of the amount went to political handbills/posters and banners.

His statement of expenditures indicated that all the money he spent to win the gubernatorial race came from his own pocket, meaning personal funds.

His rivals, incumbent Governor Gelacio P. Gementiza laid out P748,700 total expenditures, of which, P718,700 personal funds and P30,000 contributions, while Mayor Jesus M. Gaviola declared P83,558.75 total expenditures using his own money.

Vice Governor-elect Victorio Suaybaguio made known a total expenditure of P877,106.57 during his campaign sorties. Much of which were personal funds which totaled P677,106.52 while contributions amounted to only P200,000.

Congressional winners Arrel R. Olano of the second district and Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr of the first district also laid down their campaign expenditures before the Comelec.

Lagdameo declared P544,339.05, all coming from his personal kitty while Olano bared P504,669.12 expenses using his personal funds.

Among the ranks of the provincial board members, Gregorio Facula of the second district topped in election expenditures declaring P350, 000; closely followed by Rogelio Israel of the first district with P347, 411.84 while Jose Recarido Federiso declared the lowest expenditure of P48,300.

In order of total campaign expenditures among provincial board members, Salvador Royo declared P200,987.64; Janet Gavina, P177,680; Antonio Lagunsad, P169,617.75; Artemio V. San Juan, P160,098.42; Leopoldo Monteroso Sr. P106,000; Macario Bermudez II, P98,000; Ely Dacalus, P81,000 personal funds.

Most of the provincial board members claimed to have used their own money to spend for their campaign activities.

Meanwhile, Casquejo said a total of 22 local candidates had submitted as of Thursday their statement of campaign expenditures as required by Comelec through Resolution 7794 as amended by Resolution 8160.