THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Benguet said six candidates have not filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (Soce).
Lawyer Elenita Tabangin-Capuyan, Benguet election supervisor, said on Thursday, June 20, there are two in Atok, three in Itogon, one in La Trinidad and one in Kabayan that includes a vice-mayoralty candidate who did not file their Soce prior to the given deadline last June 13.
Names of the candidates were not yet disclosed.
Comelec Resolution 10505 states all candidates and parties who participated in the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections regardless of whether they won or lost, must file their Soce with supporting documents.
Section 15 of the Comelec resolution added failure to submit Soce in accordance with the law and the rules shall subject the non-compliant candidate or party to payment of administrative fines.
“If you fail to file Soce and you won, you will be subjected to administrative penalty or fine ranging to P1,000 to P30,000 depending upon the discretion of the Commission,” Tabangin-Capuyan said.
The election officer added two consecutive failure in filing Soce may result in the imposition of administrative sanctions against candidates.
“Hindi sila masyadong aware kung paano gawin,” said Capuyan when asked why candidates fail to file their Soce, adding education campaign for the proper filing of Soce has been made by the Commission.
A total of three bets in Benguet vied for congressman, three for the gubernatorial seat and two vied for the vice-gubernatorial seat while 29 bets run for mayor in the 13 municipalities, 32 for vice mayor, and 284 councilors.