After being ordered to vacate post, Arroyo corrects SOCE

MANILA, Philippines - Four more lawmakers including former President and now Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have amended their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE).

State-run Philippine News Agency reported that aside from Arroyo, the three others who have complied to the order of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are Bulacan First District Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Rizal First District Rep. Joel Roy Duavit and Camarines Sur Fifth District Rep. Sal Fortuno.

Earlier this month, the Comelec ordered 422 winning officials in the May 2013 polls including 20 House members to temporarily leave their posts for their failure to submit the appropriate SOCE.

The poll body said these officials include those who did not file any SOCE at all, those who did not personally sign their reports, and those who did not submit the prescribed form.

The Comelec added that under the Synchronized Elections Law, elected officials who did not comply with the SOCE requirements should stay out of office until they have filed the necessary documents.

The agency had said that Arroyo did not sign her submission and this was considered as an invalid filing.

Lawyer Raul Lambino, Arroyo's counsel, said the campaign statements and reports were duly signed and filed by the congresswoman and by himself, as her agent.

According to previous reports, 66 elected officials including 12 congressmen have submitted their SOCEs.