Duterte, Robredo, 7 senators-elect file SOCE on time

MANILA, Philippines — President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, and seven elected senators have submitted their statements of contributions and expenses (SOCE) on Wednesday afternoon, within the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

According to his SOCE, Duterte spent P371.46 million in his presidential bid. He received about P375 million worth of contributions from his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Davao Rep. Antonion Floirendo Jr., Davao businessmen, and others.

Vice President Jejomar Binay declared that he spent P463.38 million while Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's expenses reached P74.65 million.

As of writing time, the camp of Sen. Grace Poe is still filing her SOCE while former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II failed to submit his SOCE on time.

Meanwhile, Robredo declared that she spent P418.66 million for her vice presidential bid. Her SOCE indicated that she declared zero spending as most of her campaign funds came from the Liberal Party and other contributors.

Cayetano declared that his expenses on his vice presidential campaign amounted to P189.13 million while Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV declared that he spent P61.90 million.

The camp of Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan II have also submitted their SOCE before the deadline.

On the other hand, seven elected senators have declared their expenses during the campaign period - Leila de Lima (P88.15 million), Sherwin Gatchalian (P157.08 million), Panfilo Lacson (P87.94 million), Manny Pacquiao (P66.43 million), Ralph Recto (P131.87 million), Tito Sotto (P34.78 million) and Migz Zubiri.

Five other elected senators have not yet filed their SOCE - Franklin Drilon, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Joel Villanueva.

The Comelec earlier said that there will be no extension for the filing of SOCE. Candidates who failed to file their SOCE will be prevented from holding office.

Under Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Election law, “no person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.”