In the recently concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a stern warning to the winners. Failure to file their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) not once, but twice, will result in their removal from office, perpetual disqualification from running in future elections, and being barred from holding any appointive position in the government. This serves as a strong reminder to all elected officials to fulfill their obligations and uphold transparency in the electoral process.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that even if the elected barangay or SK chairman has already assumed office, they will be removed from their position. In such cases, the top barangay council member or SK council member will succeed them. This ensures that those who neglect their responsibilities will face appropriate consequences, and the continuity of governance is maintained.
Garcia further highlighted that the deadline for the filing of SOCE is November 29 and it is non-extendible. According to the law, all candidates must submit their SOCE within 30 days from election day. As of November 28, nearly 500,000 out of the more than 1.4 million candidates in the BSKE have filed their SOCE. However, there are still one million candidates who have not fulfilled this requirement, raising concerns about their compliance with the law.
The Comelec’s commitment to enforcing the filing of SOCE is evident from their past actions. Garcia revealed that in the previous 2022 elections, the commission collected P80 million in administrative fines from candidates who failed to submit their SOCE. This shows that the Comelec is serious about upholding the law and ensuring accountability among elected officials.
The legal basis for requiring candidates and political parties to submit their “full, true, and itemized” SOCEs is Section 14 of Republic Act 7166, also known as the “Synchronized National and Local Elections Law.” This provision mandates that all candidates and treasurers of political parties must file their SOCEs. By doing so, candidates and parties are expected to disclose their campaign expenses and contributions, promoting transparency and preventing corruption in the electoral process.
It is important to note that even winning candidates who overspent during the campaign period may face removal from office, regardless of whether they have already assumed their positions. This serves as a deterrent against exceeding campaign spending limits and encourages candidates to adhere to the rules set forth by the Comelec.
According to Comelec records, a total of 672,016 elective posts were contested in the BSKE. Among the 1,414,487 aspirants, there were 96,962 candidates vying for barangay captain positions, 731,682 candidates for members of the Sangguniang Barangay, 92,774 aspirants for Sangguniang Kabataan, and 493,069 candidates for the Sangguniang Kabataan council. These figures demonstrate the significance of the BSKE and the need for all elected officials to fulfill their obligations.
The Comelec’s strict enforcement of the filing of SOCE ensures that elected officials are held accountable for their campaign expenses and contributions. By imposing penalties and disqualifications for non-compliance, the commission aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and promote transparency in governance. It is crucial for all candidates to fulfill their responsibilities and submit their SOCE within the given deadline, as failure to do so may have serious consequences for their political careers and public trust.
Source: The Manila Times
