Comelec ties up with BIR in monitoring payments for celebrity, influencers endorsements

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tied up with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to monitor the expenses and the payment of taxes of celebrities and social media influencers who were tapped for election endorsements.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia explained that there is a need to coordinate with the BIR with regard to the monitoring of statements of contribution and expenses (SOCE) of candidates and political parties, especially on the payments made to celebrities and influencers who endorsed them in Eleksyon 2025.

“Gusto nating paigtingin ang ating relasyon sa kanila dahil nga gusto natin walang nakakaiwas sa pagbabayad ng tax lalo na ‘yung atin pong SOCE,” Garcia said in an ambush interview after the signing of the memorandum of agreement with BIR.

“Sinabi natin na ‘yung social media influencer at tyaka ‘yung mga celebrity na mag-e-endorse ng kandidato ay magkakaroon kami ng presumption na sila ay paid… ang BIR ang may jurisdiction sa kanila, pero siyempre hahanapin namin sa submission ng mga kandidato kung nagbayad sila dun sa mga influencer, dun sa mga celebrity,” he added.

With the MOA between the Comelec and the BIR, Garcia said there would be more efficient monitoring of SOCEs and possible tax evasion.

“Magiging maganda ang monitoring namin at mapapanagot natin kung may tax evasion man na ginagawa ang mga kandidato, partidong politikal, o kahit pa yung mga ginagamit na mga social media influencer,” he said.

Under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), candidates are required to include individuals or firms they contracted for campaigning under their respective Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

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 SOCEs 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. For winning bets or political parties, failure to comply may also withhold their assumption of office.

The Philippines will hold its midterm elections on Monday, May 12, 2025. — BAP, GMA Integrated News