- June deadline for filing of SOCE will stay: Comelec
THE COMMISSION on Elections XI reminded candidates to file their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) on or before June 11.
During the Kapihan sa PIA press conference, Atty. Gay Enumerables, Comelec XI assistant regional director, said the deadline for the filing of SOCE will not be extended.
“The SOCE is very important, win or lose, you have to file your SOCE,” Enumerables said.
“Imposible ng mistake nga nakalimot ka kay nidagan baya gyud ka, and that’s one of your obligations right after the elections,” she added.
Republic Act 7166, or the Synchronized Elections Law, mandates that SOCE must be filed within 30 days from the date of elections. In this case, until June 11, 2025, since the election day was on May 12.
The submission must be made during weekdays, including Saturdays and holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.
The deadline is final and non-extendible, and SOCE filings beyond the deadline will not be accepted.
All candidates, political parties, and party-lists shall file their SOCE, whether they were elected or not, did not incur expenses nor received any contribution, did not pursue or continue their campaign, self-funded their campaign, and withdrew their candidacy, unless the withdrawal was done officially before the start of the campaign period.
The notarized SOCE should be personally signed by the candidate, or by the party treasurer of a political party and party-list, and be filed in such prescribed number of hard copies accompanied by a soft/electronic copy (PDF and Excel format).
The external storage device containing the soft copy of SOCE is required to be submitted.
Unless SOCE is complied with within the period, the elected candidate cannot assume office.
Failure to submit SOCE will constitute an administrative offense with an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.
For the second or third commission of the offense, the fine will be from P2,000- P60,000, and the offender will be subject to perpetual disqualification.
