Bets get disqualified due to SOCE issues

CEBU, Philippines – Two candidates for Talisay City councilor were disqualified by the Commission on Elections due to their failure to submit their Statements of Contribution and Expenditure (SOCE) during the previous elections.

Mariela Remorosa, assistant election officer of Talisay City Comelec, told reporters that they received an order coming from their higher office informing them that Lee Consul and Antonio Vargas failed to file their respective SOCEs before.

Remorosa said the order stated not to include the personalities listed in the final listing of the candidates vying for city councilor seats.

Consul is under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) together with Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante who is running for mayor and City Councilor Danny Caballero who is his runningmate.

Vargas is an independent candidate.

Villarante said they will wait for the order and will discuss it with his group to formulate actions.

He would also talk to Consul and would advice the latter to file his motion for reconsideration.

"Pero kun final na gyud ang decision, aw ato nalang dawaton," Villarante said.

For his part, Consul told The FREEMAN that he would consult his lawyers to check if they could file their motion for reconsideration.

He said that he did not receive any letter yet from the Comelec. (FREEMAN)