Comelec: Marcoleta may be asked to explain non-disclosure of poll contributors

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may seek an explanation from Sen. Rodante Marcolate over his non-disclosure of contributors in his statement of contribution and expenditure (SOCE), according to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday.

This is what Garcia answered when asked if the poll body would ask Marcoleta to explain why he did not disclose some contributions in his SOCE.

“Yes, if we ever reach that point. We might reach that point. That is for the candidate or public officials to have an avenue or venue to explain themselves,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

Garcia stressed that a trial and investigation should be done formally, and not on social media.

READ: Comelec seeks explanation from gov’t contractor-donors

“That is rightful because remember, we have what we call presumption of innocence,” Garcia added. 

This came after Marcoleta said that he did not publish in his SOCEs some contributions he received from his friends upon their request to remain anonymous. Marcoleta noted that he had to spend the contribution because his friends trusted him to run for senator.

“They (donors) only have one request, which is not to disclose their identity,” speaking in Filipino, Marcoleta said in an interview with Net25.

Marcoleta also said that he had to spend the contribution because his friends trusted him to run for senator.

“Because I can’t disclose their identity, that’s why I listed zero in contribution. I will be forced to make it zero because if I put an amount, I will be forced to disclose their identity,” Marcoleta added.

READ: Comelec to release resolution on Escudero campaign donation case

Meanwhile, Garcia shared that the Comelec is now investigating SOCEs of all candidates to check if they made rightful declarations. He added that the poll body is reviewing ways on how it can request the statements of assets, liabilities, and network to countercheck with the SOCEs they have. 

Garcia also said that any candidate found to have declared wrongful information in their SOCE may face a penalty such as one to six years of imprisonment, perjury, or falsification of public documents. /mr