3 presidential, 2 VP candidates fail to submit SOCE, says Comelec

FILE PHOTO: Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Three presidential and two vice-presidential candidates failed to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) on June 8, the deadline for filing.

Information from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disclosed Thursday indicated that former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, and businessman Faisal Mangondato did not file their SOCE.

Of the 10 presidential bets, three have not submitted their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). They are Ernesto Abella, Norberto Gonzales, and Faisal Mangondato. | @inquirerdotnet

— Daniza Fernandez (@dsfernandez) June 9, 2022

Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidates who were not able to comply with the submission are pro-life advocate Rizalito David and economist Manny Lopez.

All senatorial candidates who won in the May 9 polls have accomplished their SOCEs, data further showed.

A total of 149 party-list groups and 30 political parties have likewise filed their respective SOCEs.

According to Comelec Education and Information Department chief James Jimenez, the filing of SOCE is non-extendible except for winning candidates and party-list groups.

Triumphant bets and party-list groups will be given six months from their proclamation to comply. Until then, their position will be declared vacant, the poll body noted.

READ: Comelec proclaims winning party-list groups

If they still fail to file their respective SOCEs after six months, a “permanent vacancy” will take place and they will face a fine, the Comelec added.

On the other hand, unsuccessful candidates in the May 9 polls who will not submit their SOCEs will also be slapped with an administrative fine.

Bets for the country’s top two highest posts are allowed to spend up to P10 per voter while those running for other posts are permitted to spend a maximum of P3 per voter.

Although, if the candidate is running as an independent or without a political party’s support, he/she may spend up to P5 per voter.

Political parties and party-list groups may also spend up to P5 per voter.

READ: 6.9 million new registered voters for May 9 polls — Comelec

“This translates to a spending cap of 675,290,080.00 for national candidates, 197,495,418 for other candidates with a political party, or 74,320,316 for independent candidates and political parties and party-list groups,” the Comelec said in a statement.

A total of 65.8 million domestic voters and 1.6 million overseas voters registered for this year’s local and national elections.

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