Comelec receives SOCEs from majority of candidates

A majority of national candidates and parties submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) to the Comelec by the June 8 deadline.

However, three presidential candidates (Faisal Mangondato, Ernesto Abella, and Norberto Gonzales) and two vice presidential aspirants (Manny Lopez and Rizalito David) failed to meet this deadline.

All 12 winning senatorial candidates did submit their SOCEs on time.

Winning candidates have a grace period of six months from their proclamation to file their SOCEs, after which they may be barred from assuming office.

Failure by losing candidates to file their SOCE by the deadline is final and non-extendible, and may lead to administrative liability, fines, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office for repeated offenses.

Candidates for President and Vice President have a maximum spending limit of P10.00 per voter, while other candidates, including political parties and party-list groups, have lower limits.