5 senators-elect submit expense reports so far

MANILA, Philippines—At least five of 12 senators-elect have already filed campaign expense reports to comply with a law that penalizes violators with a fine of up to P10,000 and perpetual disqualification from public office if committed twice.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) records showed senators-elect Grace Poe, Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Nancy Binay and Cynthia Villar having filed their statement of contributions and expenses (Soce) past 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 13.

The Comelec had set June 13, or about a month after the elections, as deadline for the filing of Soce by candidates, whether they won or lost.

Binay and Villar filed their Soces on June 11, Cayetano on June 12 while Go on June 13.

Past noon on Thursday, the Comelec said only 18 senatorial candidates had filed Soces.

Aside from the winners, others who filed Soces were opposition Otso Diretso candidates Gary Alejano, Chel Diokno, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, Erin Tanada and Mar Roxas, who all lost in the Senate race.

Roxas, Macalintal and independent candidate Willy Ong were the first to comply with the law, filing their expense reports on June 7.

Losing administration candidates Zajid Mangudadatu and Jiggy Manicad also filed Soces.

Comelec records also showed that 57 party-list groups and five political parties had submitted Soce. The political parties were the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng. Bayan (PDP-Laban), the once powerful Liberal Party, Partido ng Bayan, Anakpawis and Bida. (Editor: Tony Bergonia)