DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Comebacking mayor Rodrigo Duterte refuses to submit any statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), saying he did not spend even a single centavo as he ran unopposed in the recent polls.
The Comelec set the deadline for the filing of SOCEs on June 12, but Duterte still refused to submit any statement.
As provided by Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections Law, winners and losers in the 2013 elections are required to submit their SOCEs.
Duterte said he ran unopposed and that he did not spend anything on his candidacy although he campaigned for the candidates of Hugpong para sa Katawhan, a local political party.
Duterte attended almost all the political rallies of Hugpong during the campaign period.
Duterte said he does not mind if he will not be able to assume as mayor if he does not submit his SOCE.
“Let them (Comelec) be the mayor if they want,†he said.
RA 7166 provides that no person elected to any public office shall assume the duties of his office until the SOCE is filed.