MANILA – Twenty-five senatorial candidates have submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of early Wednesday morning.
Based on data from the Comelec, among those who submitted their SOCEs were “Duterten” Victor Rodriguez, Phillip Salvador, Jesus Hinlo Jr., Raul Lambino, Rodante Marcoleta, and Richard Mata.
Others who submitted their SOCEs were Norberto Gonzales, Willie Ong, France Castro, Vicente Sotto III, Angelo De Ablan, Ronaldo Jerome Adonis, Bam Aquino, Arlene Brosas, Leandro Verceles, David D’Angelo, Jose Montemayor Jr., Maria Imelda Marcos, Subair Mustapha, Jose Sonny Matula, Francis Pangilinan, Panfilo Lacson, Norman Marquez, Ariel Querubin, and Jocelyn Andamo.
Comelec said 74 political and party-list organizations also submitted their SOCEs and 10 other political parties complied with the election requirement.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia stated that the electoral body anticipates the submission of SOCEs from other local and national candidates, and he emphasized that there will be no extension for the deadline of the filing period.
National candidates and party-lists are permitted to file their SOCEs with the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) located in Intramuros, Manila, while local candidates may submit their SOCEs at the local Comelec office where they filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
Local parties are required to submit their SOCEs at the local election office corresponding to the party’s constituency based on its registration and accreditation.
According to Section 14 of Republic Act (RA) 7166, also known as the Synchronized Elections Act, every candidate or treasurer of a political party must file in duplicate with the Comelec offices a “full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election” within 30 days following the elections.
Candidates who fail to file their SOCEs will face an administrative offense and may incur a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.00, as determined by the electoral body, with the exception of candidates at the barangay level. Additionally, for winning candidates or political parties, non-compliance may result in the withholding of their assumption of office.
Section 13 of RA 7166 outlines the limitations on authorized expenses for candidates and political parties. It specifies that candidates running for the presidency and vice-presidency may spend P10 for each registered voter in the constituency where they filed their certificate of candidacy. Candidates affiliated with political parties are permitted to spend P3 for each voter, while independent candidates may spend up to P5.
Political parties are allowed to expend up to P5 for each registered voter in the constituency or constituencies where they have official candidates./PN
