Barangay bets have until Nov.27 to file campaign expense reports – Comelec

With the October 28 barangay elections done, the Commission on Elections is reminding candidates to file their Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) by November 27 or face charges.

 

“Kailangan nila mag file ng SOCE. Dapat by November 27, makapag-file sila kasi ‘yan ang regulation natin. (Dapat) within 30 days after the elections,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a telephone interview.

 

SOCEs are sworn statements detailing "all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election" and are required by the Omnibus Election Code.

“Kailangan tama at accurate ‘yung kanilang submissions. ‘Yung amount ng contributions, receipts, full name nung contributor. Kailangan din ‘yung amount ng bawat expenditure kung kelan ginastos at tsaka kung kanino binayad, ‘yung purpose among others,” Jimenez said.

 

He said the submission of incomplete SOCEs will be considered a failure to submit. That could mean election offense charges against candidates. Among the penalties for failing to file the SOCE are imprisonment of from one to six years, the removal of the right to vote, and disqualification from public office.

 

“We are also being strict ngayon kasi kapag hindi natin hinigpitan ngayon magkakaroon ng parang special treatment sa barangay. Eh, unfair naman ‘yun. So, kung strict tayo nung May 13 (elections), strict din tayo sa lahat,” Jimenez said.

 

SOCEs may be filed with local election officers, and all candidates are required to do so whether or not they won in the barangay polls. — JDS, GMA News