15 Capiz Candidates Fail to File Campaign SOCE

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Fifteen out of 370 local candidates in Capiz during the last midterm elections failed to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) before the June 11 deadline.

This was confirmed by Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial election supervisor Atty. Tictac Villanueva.

She said administrative fines will be imposed on those who missed the deadline for the first time.

Under the law, candidates must file their SOCE within 30 days after election day, regardless of whether they won or lost.

Winning candidates cannot assume their posts without first submitting their SOCE to the Comelec.

Villanueva stressed that taking an oath of office is not enough to assume a position without proof of SOCE compliance.

“Even if you have taken your oath of office, you cannot assume the office until you have proof of submitting your SOCE,” she said.

She also warned that continued non-compliance may lead to administrative charges.

“Their failure to file SOCE may result in fines for the first offense,” she said.

“For the second time, it can result in perpetual disqualification.”