‘Duterte-inspired’ NGO files petition to strike out late SOCEs

MANILA, Philippines – A  non-government organization (NGO) on Monday filed a petition asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to strike out statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs) that were filed late.

Liga ng Eksplosibong Pagbabago Inc., which described itself as a Duterte-inspired NGO, also asked the poll body to declare the decision to accept the late filing as “impeachable betrayal of public trust” and inhibit SOCE violators in Congress from voting in the impeachment case.

In his petition, founding chair of the Duterte-inspired NGO, Merleon “Leon” Estrella Peralta said that the “law is clear” and cited Republic Act 7166 Section 4 as the law that covers the strict deadline of filing of SOCEs.

“Republic Act No. 7166 Section 14: Every candidate and treasurer of the political party, shall within thirty days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Commission on Elections the full, true, and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election. No person elected to any public offices shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement,” Peralta’s petition stated.

Peralta added that if the motion is dismissed by the Comelec, it would be a prelude to the filing of impeachment cases against the four Comelec commissioners who voted for the extension of the deadline for filing SOCEs to June 30 in response to the request of the Liberal Party.

He added that dismissal of the motion would prompt the NGO to "appeal on certiorari" before the Supreme Court (SC).

“The protection of the law must be on the law abiders not on the law breakers,” Peralta’s statement read.

On June 16, four Comelec commissioners Arthur Lim, Al Parreño, Sheriff Abas and Rowena Guanzon voted in favor of the deadline extension while those who voted against it were Christian Robert Lim, Luie Tito Guia and Chairman Juan Andres Bautista.

READ: Comelec en banc grants LP request, extends SOCE filing

Peralta filed his petition accompanied by retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, also a whistleblower on the Mamasapano case.