Comelec to discuss LP, Roxas request for extension to file SOCE

The Commission on Elections' en banc will decide on the request made by former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas and the Liberal Party for a deadline extension to file their respective SOCEs.

Roxas was the lone presidential candidate who failed to submit his SOCE on Wednesday, even when the Comelec's campaign finance office (CFO) gave an hour and a half more for last-minute filers, extending the deadline from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The LP, meanwhile, was one of the three parties that failed to submit on Wednesday.

Poll chief Andres Bautista, as well as spokesman James Jimenez, confirmed that such letter was sent to the poll body.

They told reporters the matter will likely be tackled at Thursday's en banc meeting.

"We will discuss it," Bautista replied when asked about a possible extension.

"We will have to get the comment of the CFO. We will have a meeting later, we'll see," he said.

Asked if a decision will be made on Thursday, Bautista said it depends on whether there will be quorum to proceed.

Hours after they were sought for comment on Roxas' failure to submit his SOCE, the LP standard-bearer's camp said that such request was filed on Wednesday afternoon, asking "for an additional 14 days to complete" the filing.

"The primary reason is the voluminous number of receipts that have to be scanned and attached to the document, in compliance with the rules and in the interest of complete transparency," Rep. Barry Gutierrez, ruling coalition spokesman, said in a text message.

In response, Jimenez said, "Certainly there will be a lot of factors that will be taken into consideration and not just that—we have to see also if the same conditions apply to other candidates. Because the question of course is, if the other candidates managed, why can't you?"

He added: "There will be a lot of discussion about that, specifically 'yung mga grounds na nire-raise as justification for any sort of extension."

LP non-filing to affect Leni?

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9991, a party's failure to file its SOCE will take effect on winning candidates under its wing, as they will not be allowed to assume their posts because of it.

"Nakalagay sa batas na kapag hindi nakapag-file 'yung political party, 'yung mga candidates na 'yun hindi rin makakaupo. That's what the law says right now and it's also in the resolution. As you can imagine, that might have far-reaching consequences," Jimenez said.

However, the decision will still be up to the en banc, he added.

Such rule may affect Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, as well as six senators-elect who ran under the ruling party.

This includes Senate President Franklin Drilon, the lone winning candidate in this senatorial race who was not issued a certificate of compliance despite submitting his documents because of "formal defects" in his SOCE. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News