ILOILO – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has flagged four provincial candidates in Iloilo for failing to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by the June 11 deadline, a violation that could lead to hefty penalties and possible disqualification from future elections.
According to Comelec Provincial Supervisor Atty. Reinier Layson, the non-filers include vice gubernatorial candidate Mark John Velasco, congressional aspirants Thelma Langusta (3rd District) and Rosendo Langusta (1st District), and Provincial Board member candidate Antonio Parcon.
Their names will be forwarded to the Comelec Campaign Finance Office in Manila, which is set to issue notices requiring explanations and impose corresponding fines.
“These candidates will receive letters asking them to explain their failure to comply. First-time offenders will pay penalties based on the position they ran for. Repeat violations could lead to perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” said Comelec City Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno.
Meanwhile, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. topped the list of highest campaign spenders in the May 12 elections, with a declared expenditure of P2,299,549.66.
Vice gubernatorial candidates Raul Tupas and Nathalie Ann Debuque followed with P1,559,070.94 and P1,105,070.85, respectively.
Out of the 32 provincial candidates in Iloilo, 28 submitted their SOCEs on time. Among the early filers were Provincial Board member June Mondejar (May 27), Provincial Board member-elect Rolex Suplico (May 28), and Cong. Lorenz Defensor (June 2).
The majority complied before the June 11 cutoff.
Comelec emphasized that no extensions are allowed for SOCE submission, citing a Supreme Court ruling that upholds the 30-day deadline under Republic Act No. 7166. Failure to meet this requirement, even after losing, can affect a candidate’s eligibility for future public service.
“Even non-winners are not exempt. Filing the SOCE is a legal obligation regardless of election results,” Layson reminded.
Comelec warned that it will serve all future notices through local offices, and reiterated its readiness to assist candidates with compliance and legal guidance.
Under the law, penalties range from monetary fines to permanent disqualification, particularly for repeat offenders who fail to file in consecutive elections./PN
