With candidates already signing up for the upcoming May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recently reminded candidates to file their statements of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE) following the conclusion of the polls.

According to a Philippine Information Agency release, both winning and losing candidates have until June 13 to file the SOCE or risk being disqualified from holding office.

RA 7166, which synchronizes electoral reforms for national and local polls, requires all candidates, along with political party treasurers, to submit the SOCE within 30 days of the election’s conclusion.

“No person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions and expenditures,” the law states./WDJ