SC asked to nullify Comelec decision to extend SOCE deadline

A petition has been filed asking the Supreme Court to nullify the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision allowing the administration party to submit its Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) beyond the deadline.

In a 20-page petition for certiorari, Atty. Manuelito Luna, nominee for 1-Abilidad Pary-List, and retired soldier Justino Padiernos of the People’s Freedom Party said Comelec gravely abused its discretion when it allowed the extension for the submission of SOCE.

READ: Comelec en banc votes to accept LP’s late SOCE

Petitioners said under Republic Act 7166 particularly Section 14 specifically provided that every candidate and treasurer of the political party shall submit the SOCE within 30 days after the election.

“It [Comelec] is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to enforce and administer all election laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall,” the petition stated.

Petitioners said extending the SOCE deadline is tantamount “to an impermissible amendment of Section 14 of RA7166.”

“There is no substantive justification for the Commission (Comelec) to disregard the ‘final and non-extendible deadline’ prescribed by Sec. 14 of RA 7166,” the petitioners said.

Luna and Padiernos said as taxpayers, they have legal standing to question the Comelec’s decision.

“As civic-minded citizens and taxpayers, petitioners have a personal stake in the resolution of the controversy, and are necessarily injured or threatened to suffer injury when an agency of government honors the law in its violation than in its obedience, as in this case,” petitioners stated.

Last June 16, voting 4-3, the Comelec moved to June 30 the supposed June 8 deadline for filing SOCE.

READ: Comelec extends SOCE deadline to June 30

Commissioners Arthur Lim, Al Parreño, Sheriff Abas, and Rowena Guanzon voted for the granting of extension, while Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista and Commissioners Christian Robert Lim and Luie Guia voted to deny the request. JE/rga