COMELEC Reminds Candidates To File SOCE Win or Lose

COMELEC to Candidates: Win or Lose, File your SOCE

SOCE- The Commision on Election prompts political candidates for the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay Elections to file their Statement of Contributions Expenditure (SOCE).

On April 17, the COMELEC exposed a press release reminding the candidates to file their SOCE, regardless of the results of the imminent 2018 local elections.

Statement of Contribution Expenditure is a thorough and comprehensive report about the campaign contributions and expenditures of political candidates.

According to the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, all electoral candidates and parties concerned are required to submit their respective SOCEs despite the outcome.

In a report recently released by INQUIRER.net, the filing of the SOCE is extended until June 13 of the same year. Candidates who fail to comply within the given period will not be allowed to hold public office.

As of the report, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez quoted the Section 14 of Republic Act 7166, which states that candidates who won the election shall not be allowed to enter the obligations of public office until he or she complies with the filing of SOCE herein required.

“The commission of a second or subsequent failure to file the Soce subjects the offender to perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” said Jimenez.

The COMELEC Spokesperson also stressed the importance of the credibility of barangay officials as it is where the people directly experience the National Government.

“Therefore, our frontline public officials must be sterling exemplars of upright, law-abiding citizens to the public whom they pledge to serve,” he further added.

The Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Elections will take place on May 14, while the election period ends on the 21st day of the month. SOCEs are usually required to be submitted 30 days after the Election.