Comelec reminds candidates, parties of Soce deadline

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates and political parties who ran in the May 13 midterm elections have until today, Thursday, June 13, to file their statements of contributions and expenditures (Soces) “before the appropriate Commission on Elections (Comelec) office,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

Under the law, all candidates and electoral parties are required to submit their Soces within 30 days after the election.

Along with poll winners, also required to file their Soces are losing candidates, those whose campaigns were self-funded, those who did not incur any expenditure and those who withdrew their candidacies, or filed their certificates of candidacy but did not pursue their campaign.

Based on Resolution No. 10505, the office of elected candidates who failed to file their Soces shall be considered vacant pursuant to Section 11 of the Omnibus Election Code, until they have complied and submitted their Soces within six months from proclamation.

After the six-month period and the candidate still failed to assume office, a permanent vacancy occurs for which that elective office shall be filled up in accordance with the law. —Tina G. Santos