80% of BSKE candidates from CV submitted SOCEs

CEBU, Philippines —  A little over 80 percent of Central Visayas candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) last Oct. 30,2023 were able to beat the deadline for the mandatory submission of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

According to the report of Commission on Election- Central Visayas, 80.19% of the total number of BSKE candidates submitted their SOCEs.

The 80 percent is made up of 5,584 out of 6,516 punong barangay candidates under Central Visayas, and 45,205 out of 52,390 candidates for barangay councilors.

In the Sangguniang Kabataan side, not all who ran also submitted their SOCEs. Out of the 6,514 candidates for SK chairman, only 4,969 filed; and only 26,467 out of the 37,122 SK councilor candidates submitted their forms.

For Cebu island alone, of the 43,804 BSKE candidates combined, 43,804 filed their SOCEs or 79.72 percent. Bohol, on the other hand, has 83.58 percent of filers, while Negros Oriental has 79.15 percent, and Siquijor at 61.30 percent.

Candidates, whether they won or lost, are supposed to file their SOCEs, based on Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act. Failure to submit SOCEs would result to penalties and to being barred from holding office.

Comelec-7’s spokesperson Omar Mamalinta told The Freeman that there are different reasons for not achieving a hundred percent submission even as candidates were already told on this ahead.

“Various reasons maybe, basin nakalimtan, ang uban wa na magtagad, others would be personal reasons,” Mamalinta said.

Comelec earlier said, there is no more extension in Nov. 29 deadline for the filing of the SOCE in the local offices. However, Mamalinta said candidates may submit it in the Comelec main office.

“For those who failed to submit, adto na sila mulahos ug file sa Comelec PFAD (Political Affairs and Finance Department),” Mamalinta said.

For those who will not be able to file their SOCEs, it will be up to the Comelec PFAD to determine the consequences for their inaction. (BANAT NEWS)