Comelec extends deadline for late submission, correction of SOCEs

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended anew the deadline for the correction and late submission of the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) of candidates in the May 13, 2013 polls.

In Resolution 9873 promulgated on Thursday, the Comelec said candidates, political parties and party-list organizations have until 5 p.m. of June 30 to file their SOCEs.

The same deadline was given for the correction of deficiencies in the SOCEs already filed with the Comelec.

The Comelec decided to set a new deadline following numerous requests for extension from the candidates and political groups.

It added the adjustment was made also “in the interest of promoting transparency and fair play in the electoral process by encouraging candidates and parties to fully and truthfully disclose their campaign contributions and expenditures.”

Under Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections Act of 1991, the SOCE should be filed by winning and losing candidates within 30 days after the day of elections.

This means that those who ran in the May 13, 2013 elections should have filed their SOCEs by June 13 last year.

But in an earlier resolution, the Comelec had moved the deadline to May 12, 2014.

According to the Comelec, all candidates and parties must comply even if they received no contributions, made no expenditures and have no paid obligations with respect to their campaigns for the 2013 elections.

Those who filed non-compliant or deficient SOCEs shall be considered not to have filed the documents at all.

SOCEs are considered non-compliant and deficient if they did not have accompanying attachments or schedules and summary report; were not personally signed by the candidate or the party treasurer; did not use the prescribed forms and did not have photocopy of receipts issued to contributors and receipts or invoice for the expenditures incurred, among others.

Failure to file correct SOCEs constitutes an administrative offense punishable with an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.

In December last year, the Comelec had identified 421 elected officials who violated the SOCE requirements.

Of this figure, 20 were congressmen, including Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga and Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa while four were governors, including Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas, ER Ejercito of Laguna and Ryan Luis Singson of Ilocos Sur.

The other violators are one vice governor, 12 provincial board members, three city mayors, nine city vice mayors, 47 city councilors, 23 municipal mayors, 26 municipal vice mayors, and 277 municipal councilors.