ANTIQUE – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Antique province is reminding all candidates from the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) on or before Nov. 30 to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations.
The SOCE is a detailed account of the campaign contributions received and expenditures incurred by political candidates.
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Salud Milagros Villanueva emphasized that this is a mandatory requirement for all candidates, whether they won or lost.
Villanueva further explained that discrepancies between reported contributions and expenditures, or spending beyond the maximum allowed expense, will prompt Comelec to initiate charges.
According to Comelec rules, a candidate is permitted to spend no more than P5 per registered voter.
Villanueva reassured candidates that election officers are prepared to assist with the completion of the SOCE forms.
Additionally, Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan advised winning candidates to submit their SOCEs promptly.
“Winning candidates are barred from assuming office without having filed their SOCE,” Ausan told Panay News.
Under Republic Act (RA) 7166, also known as the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, no elected official may assume their post without having filed the required SOCE. Moreover, candidates must be officially proclaimed and take an oath before commencing their duties.
“I presume they are currently preparing their SOCEs, as they are aware from Comelec’s advisory that they can only take office once they have been proclaimed, have submitted their SOCE, and have taken the oath of office,” Ausan elaborated.
He concluded by saying that winning candidates should obtain the SOCE form from their local election officers or download it from the Comelec website (https://comelec.gov.ph/), fill it out, and submit it to receive a certificate of compliance as proof of filing./PN
