Comelec Cebu Province reminds candidates to file SOCE early and keep their promises

Comelec Cebu Provincial Spokesperson Omar Sharif Mamalinta reminds Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan aspirants on Tuesday, October 24, to file their statement of contribution and expenditures (SOCE) on or before November 29, 2023. | CDN File Photo by Niña Mae Oliverio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu Province reminded candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to file their statement of contribution and expenditures (SOCE) early and not wait for the deadline.

Omar Shariff Mamalinta, the spokesperson of Comelec Cebu Province, also reminded candidates to be true to their campaign promises once they are elected.

The barangay and SK elections are scheduled for October 30, 2023, or this Monday.

When and where to file

For transparency, the candidates should file their SOCE to the Office of the Election Officer concerned on or before November 29, 2023, or not later than one month after the day of the election.

The filing can be done from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 10924, SOCE refers to the documents and their attachments that contain campaign finance disclosure statements on electoral contributions and expenditures.

READ: Barangay and SK elections: Reminders for the campaign period

In case of special elections, the candidates or aspirants must file the SOCE within 30 days from the date of such elections.

“When it comes to the prosecution of cases, in case dili ka submit [og SOCE] so that is up for the Comelec law department,” Mamalinta said.

Based on the resolution, “No elected candidates shall enter upon the duties of their office until they filed the SOCE.”

Meanwhile, Mamalinta said that the candidates should also settle their tax obligations with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) if there were any.

Comelec: Fulfill campaign promises

Mamalinta is hoping that candidates will be transparent and honest on their platforms.

“Hopefully, if they’ll gonna win this coming October 31, 2023, hinaot unta nga ilang mapatuman (platforms) para sa kaayuhan sa tanan,” Mamalinta said.

For the voters, the Comelec officer reminded them to vote wisely.

READ: Comelec warns BSKE candidates vs vulgar campaign jingles

The Comelec officer said that voters should scrutinize the platforms of the candidates because whoever would win the election would become their leader.

“For the span of three years, imagine three years or two years or more, so mao na siyang kinahanglan gyud natong mo pili og kinsa’y angay ibutang sa usa ka position,” he said.

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