The Commission on Elections on Tuesday called on candidates who ran in the recently-concluded midterm polls to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) or face penalties.

“Gipahingusgan ni sa Comelec na mo submit g’yud sa imong Statement of Contributions and Expenditures kay duna ni siya’y penalty ung dili ka maka-submit,” said Comelec Tagbilaran officer Atty. Rafael Montoya.

Both winning and losing candidates are required to submit, he added.

Montoya said that the deadline for submission is on June 12.

Failure to file SOCEs could lead to disqualification from running for an elective post.

“Pero hinuon, sa atong experience, mura’g lenient gamay ang Comelec niana kung first time pa ka nga dilia maka-submit, tagaan ka’g chance na maka-submit pero importante lang na mo-sibmit g’yud ka,” Montoya said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government meanwhile will not approve the assumption of office of winning candidates who fail to submit their SOCE.

“Didto sa Manila kadtong ni-aging barangay [election] gidid-an sila na maka assume office. Og wa’y assumption of office dili ka makaserbisyo,” he said.

The submission of SOCE is the next step in the electoral process following the proclamation of winners. (Allen Doydora)