Comelec reminds poll bets to file SOCE

ILOILO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates in Iloilo province to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Lawyer Roberto Salazar, Comelec-Iloilo supervisor, said Friday that candidates should file their SOCE within 30 days after the elections.

“So, election was on May 13 and the filing of SOCE would be up to June 12,” Salazar said in an interview.

He said candidates must file the statement at the Comelec office where they filed their certificate of candidacy. SOCE forms are also available at the Comelec’s official website, he said.

Citing Comelec Resolution 10505, Salazar said political candidates who fail to submit their SOCE will face a fine and disqualification from holding public office.

Rule 10 of the Comelec resolution states that “failure to submit SOCE in accordance with law and the rules, shall subject the non-compliant candidate or party to payment of administrative fines, depending on whether the failure was its first or subsequent offense.”

Senators, party-list, organizations, and national political parties will face an administrative penalty of PHP10,000 for late submission of SOCE; provincial governors and vice governors will be fined PHP8,000; provincial board, congressmen, local political parties, mayors and vice mayors will be fined PHP7,000; and city and municipal councilors, PHP6,000.

The same resolution states that “no elected candidate shall enter upon the duties of office until he filed his SOCE.”