FACT CHECK | Montemayor’s claim that Moreno got $15M fund from Bill Gates is false

February 28, 2022 , 11:37 AM

(February 28, 2022) – Presidential candidate Jose Montemayor Jr. claimed on Sunday that one of his opponents in the 2022 elections, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, received $15 million worth of donation from American billionaire Bill Gates, citing information he read from “the papers.”

His claim is false.

CLAIM:

Montemayor, the standard-bearer of the Democratic Party of the Philippines, raised a follow-up question to Moreno’s stand on returning excess campaign funds to donors during the debate hosted by CNN Philippines.

“Eh paano naman ‘yung $15 million na binigay ni Bill Gates, isosoli niyo ba ‘yun?” asked Montemayor. “$15 million that were donated to Mayor Isko as I read in the papers. Is that a campaign fund?”

Montemayor did not cite the particular source he was referring to.

RATING: FALSE

FACTS:

Moreno, the presidential bet of Aksyon Demokratiko, flatly denied the allegation raised by Montemayor.

“It’s not true, I don’t know where you got it,” said Moreno. “I beg to disagree with the gentleman. There is no such thing. We will be honest and fair.”

Montemayor, who’s a doctor and a lawyer, may have confused the amount for the P16 million that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated to Manila in February 2020 to procure utility and sanitation services for low-income communities. Gates, the co-founder of computer software Microsoft, committed exactly $319,147 for the 21-month project, based on their website.

The amount is way far from the $15 million or P771.5 million that Montemayor claimed.

Moreno kept P50 million worth of excess campaign funds when he lost in the senatorial race in the 2016 elections. He paid roughly P9.7 million for the corresponding income taxes at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, showing a receipt during the debate.

Moreno was the lone candidate who did not raise his hand when asked if unused campaign funds should be returned to donors, saying he has no moral ascendancy to answer in favor.

“I have to be fair with the Filipino people. Hindi ako nagsauli ng binigay sa’king tulong sa kampanya na sobra ngunit tinupad ko ang aking tungkulin bilang mamamayan na magbayad ng buwis,” said Moreno.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Foreign nationals and companies are barred from contributing to the campaign of any candidate in the Philippines, based on the Omnibus Election Code. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has repeatedly reminded that candidates can be disqualified if found guilty of violating this.

Candidates are required to submit their statement of contribution and expenditures to the Comelec within 30 days from the election day on May 9. It must indicate every single donor and expenses from the start of the official campaign period on February 8 for national candidates and March 25 for local aspirants.

News 5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.

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