- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned candidates in the just- concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections of the penalties for failure to file statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) after noting a low percentage of compliance.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said the offender faces perpetual disqualification from holding public office aside from payment of fines.
The deadline for the submission of SOCE is on Nov. 29.
Ananoria said there would be no extension in the filing of SOCE, which is a requirement prescribed by the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines to determine compliance with the expenditure limit of a candidate.
According to Republic Act 7166, failure to comply shall constitute an administrative offense, for which the offenders shall be liable to pay an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 at the discretion of the election body.
For second offense, the administrative fine would range from P2,000 to P60,000, and the offender would be subject to perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Even those who have withdrawn from the election must submit their SOCE. | GB
