THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) Provincial Supervisor lawyer Tictac Villaneuva emphasized Thursday, May 30, 2019, that losing candidates should also file their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (Soce) so that they won't face disqualification in the next elections.

Villanueva said submission of Soce is not only for winning candidates but for losing bets too.

Villanueva said the deadline of the filing of the Soce is on June 12, 2019.

She said that as of now no candidate yet in the province has submitted their Soce.

She added that under the law a political party is only allowed to spend P3 per voter while independent candidates are allowed at P5.

In a statement, the poll body also said winning candidates may still file their Soces beyond the deadline, but have to pay a penalty for late filing.

“Soce filed beyond the deadline shall not be accepted except from those who won the elections. Until the submission of Soce, the winning candidate shall not assume office. (Sec. 14 or Republic Act 7166). Provided however, the winning candidate shall submit Soce within six months from the date of proclamation without prejudice to payment of administrative penalty for late filing (Sec. 13 and Sec. 16 of Comelec Resolution No. 10505),” the statement said.

“Failure to file Soce may result (in) imposition of administrative sanctions against candidates and electoral parties,” it added.

Section 14 of RA 7166 imposes a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000.

Villanueva said the Comelec has already disqualified some candidates because of failure to file their Soce.