DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/June 11) – Only 79 of 97 candidates in the local elections here on May 12 filed their Statement of Campaign Expenditures (SOCE) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of the June 11 deadline, but the election office declined to release their names. Under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166, candidates and political party treasurers must submit a detailed account of campaign contributions and expenditures within 30 days after the election.
Of the 79 filers, three out of five mayoral candidates complied, along with all four vice mayoral candidates, all five 1st district congressional candidates, all three 2nd district congressional candidates, two of five 3rd district congressional candidates, 22 of 23 1st district councilor candidates, 20 of 25 2nd district councilor candidates, and 20 of 27 3rd district councilor candidates.
City Election Officer Shajani Ebrahim refused to disclose names, stating, “Para dili sila maano nga ah kini, wala siya nag file” (So they won’t be taunted for not filing). However, Comelec Chair George Garcia later ordered the local office to release the names on June 12.
Among those confirmed to have filed are all four vice mayoral candidates: Bernard Al-Ag (Ind), Richard Alcebar (Ind), Sebastian Duterte (Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod), and Rhodora Barcena. All five 1st district congressional candidates—Paolo Duterte (HTL), Janeth Jabines (Ind), Rex Labis (Ind), Maria Victoria Maglana (Ind), and Margarita Nograles—also complied, as did all three 2nd district congressional candidates: Augusto Campos III (PFP), Omar Duterte (HTL), and Melogen Montesclaros (Ind).
Non-compliant candidates face fines ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 and may be barred from assuming office. Repeat offenders risk perpetual disqualification from public office. Comelec Chair Garcia emphasized that the deadline would not be extended and that SOCEs would be published online for transparency. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews with a report by Carolyn O. Arguillas)
