Danao City dads give Comelec their papers

CEBU, Philippines - Danao City councilors can now heave a sigh of relief that they would no longer be ordered to vacate their posts, after they submitted all necessary annexes to their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs).

They, however, were made to pay P6,500 each as penalty for "failure" to submit a complete SOCE within the deadline.

City Councilor Ivy Durano-Meca, an ex-officio member of the Cebu Provincial Board, said that they have already provided the Commission on Elections (Comelec) all the documents asked them.

She and other Danao City officials were among 400 officials from all over the country whom the Comelec earlier ordered to vacate their posts for failing to submit their SOCEs on time or for giving deficient documents.

The Comelec gave the said officials until last Friday, Dec. 27, to complete all required documents.

"Wa na mi nabalaka kay (We are no longer concerned because) we really complied. Na-submit na namo last week pa, before Christmas," Meca said.

She maintained, though, that some annexes may have been misplaced when they submitted their SOCEs way before the Comelec issued the order, adding that they even obtained certificates of compliance from Comelec-Cebu.

Under the law, "full and itemized" SOCEs of candidates should be submitted 30 days after the election, and no elected official can hold office until he has fully complied.

As penalty for first-time offenders, an administrative fines ranging from P1,000 to P30,000, upon the Comelec's discretion, is obligatory.

Second offense is imposed either a P2,000 to P60, 000 fine or perpetual disqualification to hold a public office. (FREEMAN)