Eleazar, 3 party-lists among first to file SOCEs —Comelec

Defeated senatorial bet Guillermo Elezar and three party-list groups are among the first to file their respective Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCEs) in connection with the May 2022 elections, a Commission on Election (Comelec) official said Tuesday.

Acting Comelec spokesperson Atty. Rex Laudiangco said the three party-lists who have filed their SOCE as of May 30, 2022 are Abono, Senior Citizen party-list, and Bisaya Gyud.

As early as May 16, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia reminded all participants in the 2022 national and local elections, including those who had withdrawn their candidacy, to submit their SOCEs.

They have until June 8 to submit the document or 30 days after the elections.

Section 14 of Republic Act (RA) 7166 or the Synchronized Elections Act states that every candidate or treasurer of a political party shall file in duplicate with the offices of the Comelec the “full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election” within 30 days after the elections.

Candidates who will not file will be charged with an administrative offense and will be liable to pay a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.00 at the discretion of the poll body with the exemption of aspirants in the barangay level.

The law also prohibits an elected candidate from entering upon the duties of his office until he has filed the SOCE. The same prohibition applies to political parties which nominated the winning candidate.

Asked how the poll body will ensure compliance and truth in the reporting of candidates’ expenses and fund sources, Garcia and Laudiangco said the Comelec can launch an investigation and seek verification of documents submitted by the participants.

“All submissions are under oath and the [Campaign Finance Office] is empowered to make inquiries and investigations on all documents,” Laudinagco told reporters in a Viber message.

“Also, quad media are obligated to submit copies of contracts for [advertisements],” he added.

For his part, Garcia said the Comelec “can always investigate and secure documents from other sources.” —KBK, GMA News