Poll candidates reminded to submit Soce by June 11

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Lapu-Lapu City is urging all local candidates from the May 2025 elections to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (Soce) ahead of the deadline.

Ann Janette Lamban, Lapu-Lapu City election officer, told reporters in an interview that local candidates are legally required to comply with the submission deadline set for June 11.

Lamban said that candidates who fail to submit their Soce — a financial document wherein candidates disclose how their political campaigns were funded and how those funds were spent — will be barred from assuming their elected positions.

“I will be requesting or calling the attention of all candidates, whether you win or you lose, please file your Soce before June 11,” said Lamban.

As of Monday, May 19, no candidates have visited the Comelec office to submit their campaign finance reports.

According to Section 14 of Republic Act 7166, or the Synchronized Elections Law of 1991, both candidates and party treasurers are required to submit a full, precise and itemized account of all campaign donations and expenditures within 30 days following the election.

The law stipulates that not submitting the required financial report is an administrative violation, punishable by fines between P1,000 and P30,000 for a first offense, and P2,000 to P60,000 for a second offense. Repeat violators may also be permanently banned from public office.

Furthermore, the Omnibus Election Code imposes strict penalties on candidates who overspend during the campaign, including one to six years of imprisonment, disqualification from public office and the loss of voting rights.

The Soce is a crucial requirement for candidates to officially assume office, in addition to taking the oath of office and receiving the certificate of proclamation. / DPC