Capiz Commission on Elections (Comelec) election supervisor, Atty. Wil Arceño, reminded all candidates in the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to file their statement of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE) before June 13.

While both winning and losing candidates are required to submit the said document, winning candidates found to be out of compliance will not be allowed to take office.

“We will not allow the winning candidates to assume office should they fail to file the SOCE on the scheduled date,” he affirmed.

Arceño added, failure to file the SOCE may result in perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Last month, the Comelec issued a similar reminder, noting, 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