Comelec sets June 12 deadline for filing of election expenses

MANILA, Philippines - Local officials elected in the last polls have until June 12 to submit their statements of election contributions and expenditures (SECE) or be barred from assuming their posts, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the requirement covers even those who lost in the elections.

He said the law mandates the submission of SECE within 30 days after the elections.

Aside from being barred from assuming office on June 30, violators face administrative charges and fines ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 – at the discretion of the Comelec – and, for a second offense, from P2,000 to 60,000 as well as perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Based on an agreement with the Comelec, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall require every winning candidate – before he or she is sworn into office – to present a certification from the poll body that he or she has complied with the SECE requirement.

Jimenez stressed that the Comelec would look into the validity of every SECE filed.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim earlier said that an elected official or candidate may face criminal charges for wrongful reporting.

A local candidate and his party are allowed to spend only P3 and P5, respectively, for every voter.

Independent candidates may only spend P5 for every registered voter.

Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they are set to come out with the official tally of the senatorial race by today or tomorrow. Brillantes said he does not expect any change in the ranking of the 12 winning senatorial candidates.

He said about 36,000 votes had yet to be canvassed as of yesterday.