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MANILA - Candidates who overspend may be disqualified, the Commission on Elections said Friday, the first day of the campaign period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The spending limits cover campaign materials, including broadcast air time, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said. Each candidate can spend only P5 for every registered voter in the area he or she is running in.

"Please make sure na hindi kayo sosobra sa spending limit dahil pag nag-overspend kayo, that will be grounds for your disqualification," Jimenez told reporters.

(Please make sure that you don't exceed the spending limit because if you do, that will be grounds for your disqualification.)

Jimenez said the Comelec received several reports that some candidates were buying air time on radio and television for their jingles.

The Comelec is also looking out for candidates who have "rich content" in their videos, he said.

"Example, a video with good production value, if you get someone to sing for your campaign, an established artist for instance sings for your campaign, then these are things of value and that is where the cost implication will arise," Jimenez said.

The Comelec is "aware" of boosted or promoted posts on social media and regulations for such will be in place for the 2019 mid-term elections, he said.

The campaign period for the barangay and SK polls will run until May 12, while the elections will be held on May 14.