139 poll bets in Central Visayas fail to file SOCE

Local

WINNING the election is one thing. Keeping the seat? That’s another, especially if you skipped filing your campaign expenses.

Out of 2,383 certified candidates in Region 7 for the 2025 midterm elections, a total of 139 individuals failed to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) as of the June 11 deadline, according to the Commission on Elections-Central Visayas (Comelec-7).

The SOCE is a mandatory document that details how much candidates spent and received during the campaign period.

Those who failed to submit, especially winning candidates, risk not being allowed to assume office by July 1.

“If you don’t file your SOCE, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has the mandate to bar you from taking office,” said lawyer Francisco Pobe, Comelec-7 regional director.

Cebu has most SOCE delinquents

Cebu had the highest number of non-compliant candidates, with 93 out of 1,270 failing to submit their SOCE. Bohol followed with 48 out of 1,115.

In total:

Cebu: 1,177 filed, 93 did not

Bohol: 1,067 filed, 48 did not

Region 7 Total: 2,244 filed, 139 failed

Why it matters

Failing to submit a SOCE can have serious consequences.

For winning candidates, the Comelec has reiterated that non-compliance could lead to disqualification from assuming office, subject to the decision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

For non-winning candidates, failure to file may result in criminal charges or serve as grounds for disqualification in future elections.

Pobe said the poll body is serious about holding violators accountable, noting that several candidates from previous elections have already been summoned and charged for failing to comply with SOCE rules.

He added that the consequences for winners are not limited to administrative procedures. Filing a SOCE is a legal requirement meant to ensure transparency in campaign spending, he said.

Candidates are expected to disclose the sources of their campaign funds and how these were spent, in accordance with existing laws.

Moreover, Pobe earlier clarified that filing the SOCE is only the first step. The Comelec Campaign Finance Office in Manila will review each document to verify if the reported expenses comply with legal limits.

“Just because you filed doesn’t mean you’re cleared. We will still audit and verify your report,” Pobe said.

He added that the current allowable campaign spending for local candidates is still pegged at P3 per voter, a rate he admitted is outdated but remains in effect under current laws.

“Be it obsolete, but wala man nausab ang balaod. Mao gyud na ang basehan karon,” he said.(TGP)