Still no SOCE from Cebu City candidates

CEBU, Philippines - Less than five days before the deadline, not a single candidate who ran for a position in Cebu City during the last election has filed their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) before the Commission on Elections.

Cebu City Board of Canvassers chairman Comelec election officer Ferdinand Gujilde has earlier sent a May 23 written reminder to all candidates in Cebu City pursuant to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166 and Rule 8 of Comelec Resolution No. 9476 reminding them of their responsibility to submit their SOCE.

The June 12 deadline will mark the 30th day from the May 13 voting that elected local officials who will assume their term of office on July 1.

Comelec Cebu City records show that 47 individuals filed their certificates of candidacy for Cebu City positions.

SOCE, which is to be submitted in four copies “full true and itemized”, contains the amount of contribution, expenditure, unpaid obligation duly supported by receipts complete with basic information like full name and address with tax identification number.

This will be filed and received by the same Comelec office where these candidates filed their COC.

City Board of Canvassers chairman Ferdinand Gujilde said they have exhausted all means to make sure the candidates do not forget about the deadline and the corresponding consequences should they fail to meet this Comelec requirement.

“Only candidates can answer that. From our end, we have done our part to inform them what documents to submit and when,” Gujilde said when asked if the CBOC is optimistic that all 47 candidates will submit on time.

Since they have already sent necessary reminders to the candidates way before the deadline, another letter would be redundant.

“No need to notify. I think those who failed to file will be given the opportunity to explain in the interest of due process, especially if there is a complaint. But there is nothing that bars Comelec from imposing fines right away. So, failure to file amounts to flirting with risk of fine and pain of disqualification,” Gujilde explained.

For congressional, mayoral and vice mayoral candidates, first offense means a fine of P20,000 with the amount doubling for the second offense.

City council candidates will be fined P15,000 for first offense which also doubles for the second offense.  (FREEMAN)