Lack of SOCE puts senator-elect Lapid in limbo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Lito Lapid may not be able to assume his post on time as he has yet to file his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) as of yesterday.

Among the 12 elected senators, Lapid is the only one who has not submitted his SOCE to the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s Campaign Finance Office (CFO).

Lapid garnered 16,965,464 votes and ranked seventh in the senatorial race.

Acting CFO director Efraim Bag-id said all candidates in the midterm elections, including those who lost, are required to submit their SOCEs to the Comelec before June 13. 

But he said the poll body has allowed winning candidates to file their SOCEs within six months from the day of proclamation.

Bag-id said winning candidates could not assume their post until they have complied with the requirement.

He said elected national and local candidates are mandated to get a certificate of compliance from the Comelec to be able to assume their post on June 30.

Those who failed to meet the deadline on the filing of SOCE will have to pay a fine of P100,000.