OVER 800 candidates in Cebu have yet to submit their mandatory statements of contributions and expenditures (Soce), risking disqualification and legal penalties with only one day left before the June 11, 2025 deadline.
Only 444 out of 1,268 candidates in Cebu had submitted their Soce as of Monday, June 9, according to Francisco Pobe, director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7.
In neighboring Bohol, Pobe, in a phone interview, told SunStar Cebu that 395 candidates had complied — still far short of the 1,117 elective posts contested during the May 12 national and local elections.
The Soce is a mandatory report required of all candidates and political parties, detailing campaign donations, both cash and in-kind, as well as all election-related expenses. It serves as a key transparency measure under the Omnibus Election Code.
In Lapu-Lapu City, 27 local candidates had filed their Soce, according to Election Officer Ann Janette Lamban.
Ten of the 37 local candidates had not yet complied with the filing requirement.
Independent mayoral candidate Cristine Takahashi was the first to file on May 22, followed by former mayor Paz Radaza on June 3. Vice mayoral candidates Celedonio Sitoy and Michael Dignos filed their reports on June 5 and 6, respectively.
All 12 elected city councilors from the Team Kaabag slate filed their reports between June 5 and 9. They are Ariane Neil Marie Yap, Emilio Galaroza, Jan Vincent Dela Serna, Climaco Tatoy, Jeorgen Book, Efren Herrera, Annabeth Cuizon, Linda Susan Baring, Joseph Pangatungan, Celestino Aying, Marciano Alforque Jr. and Rufo Bering.
Eleven other candidates for the City Council also filed their reports.
Pobe warned that failure to submit the Soce by June 11 may lead to administrative and criminal charges. He said the names of non-compliant candidates will be reported to the commission’s main office in Manila.
He added that winning candidates who fail to file may be disqualified from assuming office. The Department of the Interior and Local Government will handle such cases. / DPC