SC junks petition vs. Comelec’s extension of SOCE filing

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition questioning the Commission on Elections' decision to extend the filing of the statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) of candidates and political parties in the 2016 election.

In his petition, retired Army Col. Justino Padiernos of the People's Freedom Party, together with lawyer Manuelito Luna, said the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion when it issued the resolution granting the extension.

The petitioners asked the high court to issue a status quo ante order or similar writs against the poll body "to preserve the status quo in the meantime that the Court is considering the petition."

The status quo ante order or similar writs should then be made permanent, the petitioners added.

Apart from the Comelec, also named respondent in the petition was the Liberal Party, represented by its defeated standard bearer Manuel Roxas II. The administration party has asked for the extension after failing to meet the deadline for the filing of the  statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE).

In a vote of 4-3, the Comelec en banc earlier ruled to extend the filing of SOCEs until June 30. The decision went against the Comelec Campaign Finance Office's recommendation. —NB, GMA News