Comelec slams last-minute SOCE filers

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WHAT did you do in the last 29 days?

This was the question asked by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) who attempted to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) only yesterday.

In a message to reporters, Comelec chairman George Garcia said the last- minute SOCE filers shouldn’t be complaining of the long lines in the local Offices of Election Officers (OEOs) as they have been given enough time to submit their statements.

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“The long lines are expected. Thirty days is provided under the law. What did they do in the last 29 days?” asked Garcia.

This was seconded by Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco, who said the long lines are avoidable if SOCE filing was done earlier.

“They had one whole month to comply. They were given more than enough time. Had they complied earlier, they wouldn’t have faced these long lines,” said Laudiangco.

Under Republic Act No. 7166, “every candidate shall, within 30 days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Commission the full, true, and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election”.

Yesterday was the last day set by the Comelec to file SOCEs for all candidates in the 2023 BSKE.

For those that will fail to file their SOCEs, Garcia said they will be facing administrative fines for first time offenders.

“For 2nd offense, it will be perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” said Garcia.

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