Shadow

6 losing bets fail to file SOCEs, deadline extended for winners

Thirty out of 33 provincial and congressional candidates in Negros Occidental filed their statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs) before the initial deadline ended on Wednesday, June 8.

The three provincial bets who did not file their SOCEs before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were losers – Ma. Socorro Sibulan who ran for governor, Pedro Bolaño – 5th district board member bet and Bernard Ferraris – candidate for representative of the third district, Acting Provincial Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar said.

Homer Bais, Patrick Lacson and Archie Baribar, candidates for Bacolod councilor who lost, also did not file their SOCEs, City Elections Officer Revo Sorbito said.

Winning national and local candidates in the May 9 elections now have until November to file their SOCEs, Comelec Education and Information Department (EID) director James Jimenez said Wednesday.

Winning aspirants must submit their SOCEs or they will not be allowed to assume their posts, he said.

The Comelec said the deadline for SOCE filing is not extendible for losing candidates.

Leading the list of provincial officials who filed their SOCEs before the Comelec by June 8 were winners Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, representatives Gerardo Valmayor – 1st District, Alfredo Marañon III – 2nd District, Francisco Benitez – 3rd District, Juliet Marie Ferrer – 4th District, Emilio Yulo III – 5th District and Mercedes Alvarez – 6th District.

In Bacolod City winning mayor-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran led those who filed their SOCEs.

Candidates for town and city posts filed their SOCEs before the COMELEC offices where they filed their certificates of candidacy, Salazar said.

The filing of SOCE’s is mandatory for all candidates and those who fail to do so before the deadline will be fined, Acting Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar said.

Candidates who have not filed SOCEs for two successive elections could be perpetually disqualified from seeking an elective post.

Under the law, candidates for president and vice president are only allowed to spend P10 for every voter, P5 for independent candidates and P3 for those with political parties for both the national and local levels, Salazar said.*

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