THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced Friday, May 24, that the deadline for the filing of Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for those who ran in the May 13 elections is now on June 13, 2019.
In a statement read by Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, the poll body announced the adjustment of the deadline since the original June 12 deadline is a regular holiday, Independence Day.
"However, considering that the last day of filing of Soce is June 12, 2019, which is a holiday (Philippine Independence Day), Soce can still be submitted on next following day (June 13, 2019),” said Jimenez.
Under the law, every candidate and political party shall, within 30 days after the Election Day, file with the commission the full, true, and itemized SOCEs.
The Comelec said all candidates in the last elections, including those who won or lost, must file their Soce.
Also required to file Soce are those whose campaigns were self-funded as well as those who did not incur any expenditures.
The Soce must also be filed by those who did not pursue their campaign activities despite filing their Certificates of Candidacy or those who withdrew their candidacies.
"This is to advise all candidates and political parties, that participated in the last May 2019 elections to comply with their obligations to file their Soce before the appropriate Comelec office," said Jimenez.
Based on Resolution No. 10505, the office of an elected candidate, who failed to file Soce, shall be considered vacant pursuant to Section 11 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) until he has complied and submitted his Soce within six months from proclamation.
After the six-month period and the candidate failed to assume office, a permanent vacancy occurs for which said office shall be filled up in accordance with the law.
The Comelec Resolution also said elected candidates and party-lists with late Soce filing but within six months, shall be meted with lower administrative fines with the amount depending on the elective posts concerned. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)