ILOILO City – Eight candidates in the recent May 13 elections in this southern city failed to beat the June 13 deadline for the filing of their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
There were a total of 59 candidates who ran for various posts (congressman, mayor, vice mayor, city councilor).
Comelec-Iloilo City’s records showed the following yet to file their SOCE: candidates for city councilor Jose Allen Aquino (Pwersa ng Masa), Ed Bañez (Independent), Kaiser Jadulos (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), Jandee Janducayan (Independent), Mary Irish Melgar (Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan), the late Armand Parcon (National Unity Party, and Rex Sarabia (Nacionalista Party); and candidate for congressman Perla Zulueta (Nacionalista Party).
City Comelec’s Jonathan Sayno said it is provided under the Omnibus Election Code that all candidates – winners and losers – must submit their SOCE within 30 days after the election.
But complying with this requirement is more crucial for the winners. Under Comelec Resolution No. 10505 promulgated on Feb. 28, 2019, no elected candidate may be allowed to hold office until he/she has filed his/her SOCE.
“The same prohibition shall apply if the electoral party which nominated the winning candidates failed to file SOCE,” further read the Comelec resolution.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Omnibus Election Code, the office of an elected candidate who fails to file SOCE shall be considered vacant until he submits his SOCE within six months from proclamation.
After this deadline lapses and the candidate fails to assume office, a permanent vacancy shall be declared.
First-time violators face an administrative fine of between P1,000 to P30,000 while second-time offenders, from P2,000 to P60,000.
Second-time violators would also be perpetually disqualified from holding public office, said Sayno./PN
