Statements of poll expenses start coming in

CEBU, Philippines - Less than a week from the deadline and yet only six out of 43 provincial candidates have submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) to the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

As of yesterday afternoon, only one congressional candidate and five candidates for the Provincial Board (PB) submitted their SOCE to the Office of the Provincial Election Office (OPES).

The OPES is expecting all 43 candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy in their office to submit their SOCEs within 30 days from the May 30 election. This includes all candidates for governor, vice governor, PB and for congress.

Candidates for mayor, vice mayor and other council members are to submit their SOCEs to the election offices in their respective cities and municipalities.

Third district PB independent candidate Tomas Yu was the first one to submit his SOCE. Based on his records, he did not spend a single centavo in the whole duration of the campaign period.

Based on Comelec regulations, each candidate is allowed to spend P3 per voter within in his jurisdiction during the campaign period.

Out of the six candidates who submitted their SOCE so far, re-elected 6th district Representative Luigi Quisumbing spent the highest amount during the campaign period with P788,612.40.

According to his SOCE, Quisumbing’s biggest expenditure was on employing watchers for the election which was at P316,000.000. Printing and distribution of campaign paraphernalia amounted to P198,054 while “compensation for campaigners, clerks, stenographers, messengers and other persons” was at P132,650. Quisumbing’s other expenses included travelling expenses, rent and maintenance of campaign headquarters, utility bills, and printing of sample ballots.

Also, according to his SOCE, the full amount he spent during the campaign was out of personal funds without any contributions received.

Quisumbing of the Liberal Party won against former congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

All candidates, winning and losing and even those who withdrew their candidacies but filed their COCs, are mandated to submit their SOCEs until June 13.

Other candidates who submitted their SOCE include Provincial Board member Miguel Antonio Magpale whose total expenditures was at P136,825.82 that includes printing and distribution of campaign materials as well as travelling expenses, all of which were also from personal funds.

Magpale, son of Acting Governor Agnes Magpale, won a seat in the PB together with another LP candidate, Jude Durano-Sybico.

Ramon “Monching” Durano V of One Cebu who lost to Magpale and Durano-Sybico also submitted his SOCE stating that his expenditures was at P104,574.

Another One Cebu candidate for the same position, Benjamin Batiquin Jr, incurred expenses of P66,000.

Expenses of 1st district re-electionist PB member Sergio Restauro was at P86,288.

The Comelec is reminding all remaining candidates to submit their SOCEs by June 13. If not, winning candidates most especially would not be allowed to take seat this coming July, said Comelec Provincial Supervisor Eddie Aba considering the Memorandum they have with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Losing candidates who will not submit their SOCEs will be fined and may affect their possible bid for another election. —/JPM (FREEMAN)