Sunday, December 30, 2007 Report campaign expenses, DILG reminds aspirants
BARANGAY and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who until now have not submitted their statements of assets and liabilities (SAL) and statements of contributions and expenses are not supposed to assume office.
That’s why Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu City Director Patricio Gabuya is reminding them to comply; otherwise, their assumption as barangay and SK officials will not be honored.
“That is a requirement for them to assume office. Daghan nisugod bisan dunay kulang. (A lot have started working, although they still lack some requirements.) We will make them submit,” he said.
Gabuya said the SAL, as required under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, should have been submitted a month after the Oct. 29 elections.
The DILG already sent notices informing the barangays who among its officials failed to submit the required documents early this month.
Gabuya said that while most complied, there are still a few who did not.
He said somebody could file a complaint against the officials and bring the matter to court, which would determine the penalty for the offense.
In a separate interview, Cebu City Election Officer Marchel Sarno said that most, if not all, barangay officials already submitted the required documents.
“Most of the SK councilors are the ones who still did not comply,” he said.
The Cebu City north district election officer said that the Comelec only required the statements of contributions and expenses, while the DILG made the submission of newly elected officials’ SAL as an additional requirement.
Section 111 of the Omnibus Elections Code states that “no person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions and expenditures.”
Both losing and winning candidates could also be held liable for violating Section 8 of Comelec Resolution 8320, or the Rules and Regulations Governing Election Campaign and Propaganda in the Oct. 29 elections.
Those who lost cannot again seek an elective post unless they submit a sworn statement of contributions and expenditures, which is required to determine whether or not candidates heeded spending limits.
Section 7 of Comelec Resolution 8320 allows candidates to spend only P3 “for every registered voter in the barangay where he seeks to be elected.” (RHM)
