ILOILO City – The clock is ticking.
There’s a week more left for all candidates – winners and the defeated – in the May 9 elections to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
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.
The last day of submission is June 8 but it is better not to wait for the deadline, said Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado.
“Para may time to adjust and time to submit pertinent documents na kailangan i-support (if there are deficiencies spotted),” Balisado explained.
Candidates who fail to submit their SOCE face charges or penalties, including perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Those who withdrew their candidacies and political parties are also required to submit their expenses as well as contributions received during the campaign period.
The SOCE must be filed by the candidate to the Comelec office where he or she filed his or her Certificate of Candidacy (COC), sad Balisado.
The director lamented that very few candidates have so far submitted their SOCE.
“Maybe they are waiting for the deadline or a few days before the deadline. Or they are still coordinating with their accountants or still preparing their documents,” said Balisado.
Under Section 5 of Comelec Resolution No. 10730 or Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9006 (Fair Election Act), here are the allowed expenses per candidate and political parties:
* for candidates for President and Vice President – P10 for every registered voter
* for candidates with political party – P3 for every registered voter
* for other candidates without any political party and without support from any political party – P5 for every registered voter
* for political parties and party-list groups – P5 for every registered voter
Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said candidates who exceeded the campaign spending limits face possible election offense charges.
“It is considered an election offense. It carries possible imprisonment penalties,” he said./PN
