DILG: No expense report, no assumption of post

MANILA, Philippines — Local poll winners could be barred from taking their posts if they fail to report their campaign expenses to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) by June 13.

In a statement on Sunday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson, Jonathan Malaya, reminded newly elected local officials of their obligation to submit their respective statement of contributions and expenses or Soce to the poll body.

“Filing your Soce is your first legal obligation to the nation and to the public,” Malaya said.

Declare contributions

“We are reminding the winners to submit their Soces to the Comelec this early because they may not be allowed to assume office until they have complied with this requirement,” he added.

Contributions in cash and in kind received by a candidate from a political party and other sources for the campaign must be declared in the Soce.

The Soce must also indicate expenses paid out of personal funds and cash donations as well as expenditures incurred from contributions in kind.

Malaya cited a provision of Republic Act No. 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act which states that every candidate and treasurer of a political party are required to submit to the Comelec within 30 days after the day of the election “the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election.”