The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, January 28, reminded candidates in Negros Oriental to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE) immediately after the May 12 elections to avoid sanctions.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director, said during the Kapihan forum that repeated non-filing of SOCE by candidates could lead to perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Thirty days after the election, a candidate has to file his SOCE through the Comelec’s e-portal, he said.
“Unfortunately, some fail to file their SOCE because sometimes, defeated candidates don’t want to face the people anymore,” Castillano said in mixed English and Filipino.
On the other hand, winning candidates also have to file their SOCE, otherwise they cannot assume office, he said.
The first and second offenses will carry a fine depending on the candidate’s position, while the third offense will be subject to perpetual disqualification, the Comelec official said.
Castillano cited the case of a former mayor in Tayasan, Negros Oriental, who is now perpetually disqualified from holding public office for failure to file his SOCE for three consecutive elections.
The Comelec released the decision for perpetual disqualification against this individual recently, he said.
Gun ban violators
Meanwhile, police arrested two suspects in separate incidents in Negros Oriental for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and violation of the Comelec gun ban.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the two were arrested on Monday evening, January 27, and Tuesday morning, January 28.
At around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday, police conducted an anti-illegal gambling operation at a billiard hall in Barangay Tamisu in Bais City.
Three suspects, all residents of Barangay Tamisu, were arrested in the operation. A homemade “Black Widow” firearm that had no serial number and was loaded with five caliber .22 bullets, was found in one of them.
Hours earlier, at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, the Dauin police responded to a call from a concerned citizen saying that an unidentified person was seen carrying a revolver in Barangay Bulak of the same city.
Responding police approached the suspect and introduced themselves and saw the handgrip of a firearm tucked in the suspect’s waistline.
Police said the suspect failed to present the pertinent documents for his firearm. (PNA)