Poll bets reminded to file SECE

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is reminding both winning and losing candidates of their responsibility to submit their Statement of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SECE).

Cebu Comelec provincial supervisor Eddie Aba said all candidates, including those who filed their Certificates of Candidacy but later on withdrew from the race, should submit to their office their SECEs within 30 days after the May 13 elections.

Everyone who filed a COC, said Aba, agreed to the provision in the sworn statement that they will submit their SECE which will include all their expenditures during the campaign period.

A SECE shows an "itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures for their campaign, including the full names and addresses of the donors and payees, the date it was donated or paid as well as the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of all donors."

Aba explained that the SECEs are in line with the restrictions imposed by the Comelec on candidates on how much they could spend for the whole duration of the campaign period.

Based on Comelec resolution 9476, candidates were only allowed to spend P3.00 per voter within one's area of jurisdiction.

As of yesterday, Aba said no candidate has submitted their SECE to his office.

Apart from administrative charges, Aba said winning candidates who fail to submit their SECEs will not be allowed to take office and will be barred as well by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo signed an agreement with Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes assuring that any winning candidate will not be allowed to assume office until a Comelec certification is shown, proving that they have submitted their SECEs.

 The agreement between the two offices includes governors, vice-governors, mayors, vice-mayors and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panglungsod and Bayan.

For losing candidates, Aba said they will be slapped with a fine if they do not heed this regulation. Political parties whom candidates fail to submit SECEs will also be penalized.

As stated in Comelec resolution 9476, candidates who fail to submit their SECEs will be fined from P1,000 to P30,000, depending on the Comelec. It would also be higher for those who have violated this law the second time. The resolution also stresses that "the offender shall be subject to perpetual disqualification to hold public office."

Meanwhile, election returns from the whole province of Cebu were transported yesterday to Comelec Manila led by Aba himself.

He added that the honoraria for technicians of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines have also been distributed as well as for Board of Election Inspectors.

In another development, Comelec regional director Temie Lambino considers doubling the number of PCOS machines in 2016 elections.

"We need to double the number of PCOS machines on the next elections, para ma-decluster ang mga clustered precincts," Lambino said, adding that lesser people in precincts result to shorter lines and more chances for people to vote.

"Kung 1,000 people per clustered precinct noong May 13, dapat maging 500 voters na by 2016," he pointed out.

Aside from increasing the number of PCOS machines, the director said that increasing the budget can also help Comelec improve the electoral process by 2016.

"Unang-una, yung budget. We have to increase the budget," he said.

With a budget of P7 billion, Lambino said that the allocated funds for the elections last May 13 were much lesser than 2010's P13 billion.- (FREEMAN)