Bets reminded: Liquidate expenditure

CEBU, Philippines —  The Commission on Elections has reminded candidates of the May 13 elections to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) as soon as possible otherwise those who have won will not be allowed to assume office.

Election officer Jerome Brillantes said candidates have until June 13 to file their SOCE. He emphasized that even losing candidates are required to file the statement.

Candidates in the city or municipal level may file their SOCE at the city or municipal Comelec offices while those who ran in the provincial level may file their documents with the provincial Comelec.

Brillantes said the Comelec will rely on good faith on the part of candidates as far as the entry in their SOCE is concerned, considering that the Comelec did not monitor the candidates’ campaign expenditures.

The candidates had to declare personal expenses, as well as contributions and donations to their campaign.

They were allowed to spend P3 per voter.

Candidates were allowed to campaign on social media, as long as they registered the campaign.

Brillantes said those who exceed the spending limit may be disqualified from holding office. — JMO  (FREEMAN)