The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reminded candidates in the recently-concluded 2025 midterm polls to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) on June 11.
DILG Palawan Local Government Operations Officer Leny Escaro-Alcantara said that both winning and losing candidates of the national and local elections should file the SOCE to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Failure to file SOCE will result in disqualification and removal from public post.
“Kapag hindi tayo nag-submit, pwede tayo ma-disqualify. Kahit tayo na-elect, kahit na-proclaim ka na pero hindi ka nag-submit ng SOCE, pwede kayong habulin para matanggal sa pwesto,” she said.
The Commission earlier stated that national and local candidates, as well as political parties and party-list organizations, are required to file the SOCE within 30 days after the day of the election. This is based on Republic Act No. 7166.
Under Section 14 of said law, no person elected to any public office should enter the office until SOCE has been filed. It also applies to the political party in failure to file SOCE within the prescribed period.
The city or municipal election registrar advised all candidates in their jurisdiction to comply with their obligation to file their SOCE. The first offense may result in fines, and perpetual disqualification for the second offense.
“Sa lahat, nanalo ka man o natalo, kailangan natin magsubmit ng SOCE sa COMELEC at napakahalaga nito,” she added. (PIA)
