Comelec reminds candidates, parties to file SOCE before June 12

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded election candidates that failure to submit the statement of contribution and expenditure (SOCE) can be considered grounds for perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

The Comelec made this reminder on Tuesday, a day after the midterm elections were held across the country. The period for the filing of SOCE will run from May 13 to June 11.

The Comelec said that all official candidates, party-lists, and political parties are required to submit the statement, even if:

• they were elected or not
• they neither incurred expenses nor received any contribution
• they did not pursue or continue their campaign
• they self-funded their campaign; or
• they withdrew their campaign, unless it was done before the start of the campaign period.

READ: Comelec denies vote discrepancy in partial, unofficial count

Section 14 of the Republic Act 7166 states that failure to submit SOCE shall constitute an administrative offense with an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.

For the second or third commission of the offense, “the administrative fine shall be from Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00), in the discretion of the Commission. In addition, the offender shall be subject to perpetual disqualification to hold public office.”

The Comelec also noted that “no elected candidate shall assume office unless the submission of SOCE is implied within the period allowed by law.”

READ: Comelec expects election candidates’ endorsers are getting paid

Meanwhile, the poll body is now presuming that online influencers, content creators, and celebrities who endorse candidates or party-lists are “presumed a contractor and whose services is paid by such candidate or party benefitted therefrom.”

However, presumption does not apply to relatives within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity. /cb