Seventy-five candidates who ran for various positions in the 2025 midterm elections in Negros Occidental failed to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Out of 778 candidates, 703 successfully submitted their SOCEs before the June 11 deadline.

The highest number of SOCE filers came from Kabankalan City with 62 candidates, followed by 33 from the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor, 30 from La Castellana town, and 28 each from the cities of Bacolod and Talisay.

Bacolod recorded the most candidates who failed to file their SOCE.

Of the 37 candidates who ran for office there, only 28 submitted their reports, leaving nine candidates who missed the deadline.

All candidates from the cities of Cadiz, Himamaylan, Sagay, San Carlos, and Sipalay, as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, Pulupandan, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Toboso, complied fully with the SOCE filing requirement.

The SOCE is a critical document that promotes transparency by detailing campaign contributions and expenditures.

Failure to file may result in penalties or disqualification, underscoring the importance of compliance for all candidates.

The Comelec continues to monitor and enforce election laws to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process in Negros Occidental./JB, WDJ