SOCE FILING. A Negros Oriental media practitioner, Noel Ramirez, who ran for board member and lost in the May 9, 2022 elections, files his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures with the provincial Comelec office on Wednesday (June 8, 2022). The filing of SOCEs by political candidates is mandated by the law, regardless of their victory or defeat in the polls. (Photo courtesy of Comelec-Negros Oriental)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Poll bets who won in the May 9 elections cannot assume office on June 30 unless they have filed their respective Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Marc Concepcion Asentista, Election Assistant of the Comelec-Negros Oriental provincial office and designated as in charge of the SOCE filing, said this based on a memorandum circular from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The order requires the winning candidates to present a certification from the Comelec that they have, indeed, filed their SOCE before assumption to office.
As of Wednesday, 24 candidates for various elective positions at the provincial level have filed their SOCE, Asentista said.
The deadline for the SOCE filing is at 5 p.m. on June 8, and for the losing candidates, there will be no extension and penalties will be incurred.
“For the winning candidates, if they failed to meet the deadline, while there are penalties, they will be given six months to comply, however, they cannot take oath and be installed into office at the end of this month,” Asentista said.
Provincial elective positions, including those for governor, vice-governor, board members, and congressional representatives, have to file their SOCEs with the Comelec-Negros Oriental provincial office while those in the towns and cities have to file at the local Comelec offices.
Records at the provincial Comelec office show that candidates who filed their SOCEs include those for governor (four); vice governor (one); board members (15); and congressional candidate (four).
Asentista said 19 candidates at the provincial level have yet to file their SOCEs.
Meanwhile, DILG-Negros Oriental provincial director Farah Gentuya, in a letter dated June 6 to the Comelec provincial office, also asked for a copy of the certifications of the provincial winners on or before June 13. (PNA)
