Filing of SOCEs for b’gay poll bets in typhoon areas extended

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the deadline for the filing of statements of election contributions and expenditures (SOCEs) by candidates in the barangay polls in typhoon-ravaged areas.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said candidates in the recent barangay elections, particularly in Eastern and Western Visayas, still have two more weeks to file their SOCEs without fear of penalty.

“The deadline for SOCE filing for Regions 6 to 8 has been extended until Dec. 15,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said the poll body decided to give candidates in the barangay elections more time to file their SOCEs in consideration of their current conditions resulting from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda.

But for candidates from other regions, Jimenez said, the Comelec has no intention to further extend yesterday’s deadline for the filing of SOCEs before the offices of city or municipal election officers.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, all candidates are required to file their SOCEs to the Comelec within 30 days after election day.

The SOCE must contain the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the elections.

The Comelec said failure to comply with the requirement is tantamount to an election offense that could lead to one to six years’ imprisonment, stripping of one’s right to vote, and disqualification from holding public office.