4 poll bets fail to file SOCE

By: Jomarie A. Billones

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Four of the 42 candidates who ran for various posts during the May 13, 2019 elections here failed to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) as the deadline lapsed on June 13.

According to lawyer Jessie Suarez, Capiz provincial election supervisor, 38 bets filed their SOCEs, which is a requirement for all candidates, whether they won or lost in the elections.

Suarez refused to name the candidates but he said the non-filers lost their bids.

In Roxas City, three of the 43 candidates running for the city position failed to file their SOCE, too.

Lawyer Hazel Palencia, Roxas City election officer, said the non-filers, who also lost in the polls, are Wenceslao Diangco, candidate for city mayor, and city council bets Rafael Apruebo and Martin Antonio Pimentel.

Palencia said Pimentel submitted his SOCE but someone else signed it.

Under the law, all candidates and electoral parties must submit their SOCE within 30 days after the elections.

The deadline for the SOCE filing was on June 12. But since the date fell on a holiday (Independence Day), the deadline was moved to June 13.

“SOCE filed beyond the deadline shall not be accepted except those who won the elections. Until the submission of SOCE, winning candidates shall not assume office,” Jimenez said.

The poll body said winning candidates may file their SOCEs up to 6 months after the proclamation of winners in the 2019 elections, though this may be subject to late fees or penalties.

Winning candidates who failed to submit their SOCEs cannot assume office.

Candidates who were self-funded did not incur any expenses during the campaign period, or withdrew their candidacies during the campaign period are also required to submit their SOCEs.