5 bets banned from future polls for not filing SOCE

Win or lose, candidates running for elective posts should always remember to file their statement of contributions and expenditures (Soce) to avoid being fined or worse, perpetually barred from a government seat. In a statement on Thursday, the First Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolved to disqualify five local candidates from seeking public office in the future for failing to file their respective Soces not once but twice within the prescribed period.

One of those disqualified was Emilio Arnaez. He did not file his Soce when he ran for a seat in the city council of Tanjay, Negros Oriental, during the 2019 elections and again when he vied for Tanjay mayor in 2022. For his twin offenses, he was fined a total of P55,000.

Stiff penalties

Also disqualified was Giovanni Jino Alcantara, who failed to comply with the Comelec requirement when he ran for member of the city council in Cainta, Rizal, during the 2019 and 2022 polls. He was subsequently slapped with a fine of P20,000.

Luisito Angeles likewise neglected to file his Soce when he was a candidate for the municipal council in Bocaue, Bulacan, in the 2007 and 2013 elections. For this, he was fined P22,000.

The fourth candidate, Ma. Brenda Amosco did not file her Soce when she vied for a seat in the town council in Arteche, Eastern Samar, in 2013 and 2022. Comelec ordered her to pay a fine of P30,000.

Gene Alamani of Dinalungan, Aurora, also failed to submit his Soce when he ran for the municipal council in 2010 and 2022 and was fined P22,000.

On top of the fines they were each ordered to pay, the five candidates were also disqualified from holding any government post.

Candidates may still appeal

They may, however, still appeal the First Division’s decision before the Comelec en banc, up to the Supreme Court.

The Soce declares the cash and in-kind contributions received by a candidate from a political party and other sources. It should also include expenditures paid for using personal funds and cash contributions, or those incurred using in-kind contributions.

Under Republic Act No. 7166, or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, all candidates, whether they win or lose, must file their Soce with Comelec within 30 days after Election Day.

Winners who fail to comply will not be allowed to assume office. First-time violators face a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 but a second offense, however, can result in the offender being perpetually barred from holding public office.