THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded candidates who won during Monday’s national and local midterm elections that they cannot assume their posts unless they have filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
Elections spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco also said there will be no extension of the Comelec’s June 11, 2025 deadline for SOCE filing.
Laudiangco said candidates should not dilly dally in submitting their SOCEs, which he stressed is a requirement under Republic Act No. 7166.
“The Supreme Court has ruled several times that the Comelec has no power to change the deadline as it is provided for by the law,” he said, explaining that RA 7166 requires every candidate and political party to file in duplicate with the offices of the Comelec the “full, true, and itemized” statement of all contributions they have received and their expenditures within 30 days after the day of the election.
He said that “even if you have taken your oath of office, you cannot assume office until you have proof of submitting your SOCE.”
He also said winning and losing bets who fail to file their SOCEs may be held administratively, which may result to fines for the first offense.
“For the second time, it can result to perpetual disqualification,” he added.
Laudiangco said candidates and political parties are required to file their SOCEs in the Comelec offices, where they filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
Meanwhile, Laudiangco also assured the nearly 300,000 public school teachers who served as Electoral Board (EB) members in the May 12 polls that they would receive their honoraria before the deadline provided by the law.
“We have started giving the honoraria since we must complete them within 15 days as provided by the law. We want to complete the payment of honoraria as early as possible,” he said.
He urged EB members to “come and claim” their honoraria with the local Election Officers (EOs) in their respective city or municipality.
