By JEN BAYLON
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called on all candidates — especially winners in the May 12 midterm elections — to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) by June 11, emphasizing that failure to comply will have serious consequences.
“Winning candidates cannot assume their posts if they fail to file their SOCEs,” Comelec in Negros Island Region (NIR) Assistant Regional Election Director Jossil Macute said.
He further warned that first-time offenders who fail to file their SOCEs may face fines, while repeat offenders risk perpetual disqualification from running for office.
Comelec said the filing of SOCE aims to promote transparency and accountability by tracking how much each candidate spent during the campaign.
The poll body uses the SOCE to determine if candidates follow the allowable spending limits during the campaign period.
Meanwhile, Macute reminded all local candidates of the strict deadline to remove their campaign materials — including posters and other election paraphernalia.
“Candidates have until Saturday, May 17, to remove all political and campaign materials,” Macute said.
“We will be strict, especially in public places and common poster areas,” he added.
Candidates who fail to comply will have their materials removed by Comelec in coordination with local government units, and they will be billed for the cost of removal.
“Comelec will issue billing statements to candidates who do not voluntarily remove their campaign materials, and these will be published as a form of negative publicity,” Macute added.
Post-election tasks
Comelec-NIR is also focused on critical tasks after the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
These tasks include submitting official results to the Negros Occidental Provincial Board of Canvassers, processing honoraria payments for teachers and electoral board members who served during the election, and ensuring all candidates submit their SOCEs, Macute said.
On the matter of honoraria, Macute assured that teachers who served as election workers would receive their original payment amount.
He noted that the additional P2,000 announced by Malacañang has not yet been included in the payments.
Meanwhile, Comelec’s preparations are also underway for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled for December 1, 2025.
The voter registration for BSKE will run from July 1 to July 11, while the filing of certificates of candidacy will be from October 1 to 7, 2025.
Addressing rumors of a possible postponement, Macute clarified, “If no law is passed regarding the postponement of BSKE, the elections will proceed as scheduled.”/JB, WDJ