5 poll bets disqualified for not filing statements of contributions, expenses

In this Thursday, May 9, 2019 photo, a man walks past election banners in the slum district of Tondo in Manila. (File photo from AP /Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections First Division declared on Thursday that five election candidates have been disqualified.

The decision comes after they failed to submit their statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) twice within the timeframe required by the poll body’s political finance and affairs department.

Below is the list of disqualified candidates based on Comelec’s announcement released on Thursday:

1. Emilio Viliran Arnaez

Reason for disqualification:

Failure to file SOCE in relation to his candidacy as member, Sangguniang Panlungsod in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental during the 2019 national and local elections (NLE)

Failure to file SOCE in relation to his candidacy as city mayor in the City of Tanjay, Negros Oriental during the 2022 NLE

Ruling:

Pay the administrative fine of P15,000 for his first offense; pay P40,000 for his second offense; and to be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

2. Giovanni Jino Hilario Alcantara

Reason for disqualification:

Failure to file SOCE in relation to his candidacy as member, Sangguniang Bayan in Cainta, Rizal during the 2019 NLE and 2022 NLE

Ruling:

Pay the administrative fine of P10,000 for the first offense, if the said fine had not been settled; and P20,000 for the second offense is imposed; and the administrative penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold office.

3. Luisito Castillo Angeles

Reason for disqualification:

Failure to file SOCE in relation to his candidacy as member, Sangguniang Bayan of District 2, Bocaue, Bulacan during the 2007 NLE and 2013 NLE

Ruling:

Pay the administrative fine of P2,000 for his first offense; pay P20,000 for his second offense; and to be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

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4. Brenda Pajanustan Amosco

Reason for disqualification:

Failure to file SOCE in relation to her candidacy as member, Sangguniang Bayan in Arteche, Eastern Samar during the 2013 NLE and 2022 NLE

Ruling:

Pay the administrative fine of P10,000 for her first offense; pay P20,000 for her second offense; and be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

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5. Gene Tomas Alamani

Reason for disqualification:

Failure to file SOCE in relation to his candidacy as member, Sangguniang Bayan in Dinalungan, Aurora during the 2010 NLE and 2022 NLE

Ruling:

Pay the administrative fine of P20,000 for his second offense; and be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.