Bets have yet to file expenditure statements

MANILA, Philippines - Two days before the June 13 deadline, no one among the senatorial bets and party-list groups in the recent midterm polls has filed a statement of contributions and expenditures (SECE) with the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim yesterday warned that there would be no extension of the deadline and winning candidates who fail to submit their SECEs would not be able to assume office.

“There will be no extension. We discussed that already with the en banc. The deadline is June 13 at 5 p.m. That’s under (Comelec) Resolution 9616,” Lim said in a press conference organized by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

So far, Lim noted that none among the 33 senatorial candidates and 123 party-list groups have filed their SECEs one month after the May 13 polls as required under Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections Law.

The law covers both losing and winning candidates.

The requirement also covers media organizations that published or aired the propaganda of candidates; service providers like those that printed the campaign materials, rented out vehicles and facilities for campaign headquarters and catering services, and those who contributed to their machinery.

“Aside from the candidates, also mandated to file within 30 days are contractors of the business of the candidates as well as the contributors,” Lim added.

But the Comelec official said they are not surprised that they have not received any SECE yet because “they normally take advantage of the time until the deadline.”

Lim cautioned that in preparing their SECEs, filers should follow the format prescribed by the Comelec.

Otherwise, it will be tantamount to not filing the documents at all, he said.

Failing to submit the SECE is equivalent to an election offense which is punishable with six years imprisonment, suspension of rights of suffrage and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.