SC tackles plea on SOCE deadline extension today

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) will consider the petition that seeks to void the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s decision to extend the deadline for filing the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) after a request of the Liberal Party.

An insider bared yesterday that the petition filed last week by retired Army Col. Justino Padiernos of the People’s Freedom Party and lawyer Manuelito Luna of 1-Abilidad party-list is included in the agenda of today’s regular session.

The source, who requested anonymity due to lack of authority to speak for the high court, said the SC may act on the case and petitioners’ prayer for issuance of a status quo ante order stopping the Comelec order that extends the deadline from June 8 to June 30.

Petitioners argued that the 30-day deadline was set under Republic Act 7166 (Synchronized Local and National Elections and Electoral Reforms Act) and that the poll body “is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to enforce and administer all election laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall.”

They alleged that the extension made by Comelec was tantamount “to an impermissible amendment of Section 14 of RA 7166,” which prohibits winning candidates of a political party that would fail to meet the deadline set by law to assume their respective posts.

Petitioners further said that the Comelec decision was “unfair” and has set a bad precedent.

Partymates of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte in the PDP-Laban were set to file a similar petition with the SC as earlier announced by Davao del Norte Rep.-elect and incoming House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Voting 4-3 last June 16, Comelec ruled to grant LP’s motion for extension and moved the deadline to June 30.

In explaining the ruling, the poll body said it was only proper to allow candidates to take their elective posts as doing otherwise would be unfair to voters who gave them the mandate.

Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said an adjustment in the deadline is allowed under the law, describing the action as procedural.