THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded all candidates in the recent midterm polls to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs), making sure that what they file is truthful.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they expect all winning and losing candidates, political parties and party-list organizations to file their SOCEs on or before June 11.
“We are reminding all candidates, winners or losers, that you are all mandated to file your SOCEs,” said Garcia.
“If you file SOCEs with discrepancies and are untruthful, you can face charges of falsification and perjury. Those are violations of the law,” he said.
Garcia said it would be easier to spot false entries in the SOCEs with the Comelec set to publish all of them on its website.
“Everyone will be informed who the contributors are, how much they contributed, what the expenditures were, and if there were excess donations. Those are important information in order to hold the candidates accountable,” said Garcia.
Under Republic Act No. 7166, every candidate and treasurer of the political party must file their “full, true, and itemized” statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election within 30 days after the polls.
Failure to file the SOCE may result in administrative fines being slapped against concerned candidates and political parties.
Repeat offenders shall also be subject to perpetual disqualification to hold public office, according to the law.
The Comelec also said it will run after national and local candidates in the midterm polls and hold them liable for their campaign materials still on display.
Garcia said they will hold accountable those who have failed to remove their respective campaign materials within the period set by the poll body.
“We gave them five days after the elections to remove their campaign materials. It’s been more than five days,” said Garcia.
“Even if we can no longer disqualify them, we can still file criminal complaints against them because that’s an election offense,” he added.
He said they will also take note of the candidates who have failed to remove their campaign materials within the prescribed period, and use them in future electoral exercises.
“Those who committed violations can still be held accountable when they file their Certificates of Candidacy again in future elections,” said Garcia.
He said they have directed their field personnel to check which campaign materials are still posted.
“Our Task Force Baklas continues to monitor with our local Comelec submitting reports,” said Garcia.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11086, the candidates shall remove or cause to remove all their election propaganda within five days after the elections.
Violation of the said rule shall constitute an election offense, according to the Comelec.
