Elected Barangay Officials Asked to Submit Expenses Report
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a reminder to newly elected village officials about the mandatory requirements they need to fulfill before taking up their designated roles.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco emphasized that securing the highest vote count alone doesn’t qualify a candidate for office.
They must also meet three key criteria, one of which is the submission of the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
Laudiangco elaborated, “For all victorious candidates, three prerequisites must be met before they can be officially seated. These include proclamation by Comelec, taking the Oath of Office, and formally assuming the position.”
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that the SOCE provides a detailed account of the campaign contributions and expenses incurred by the winning candidates.
The deadline for SOCE submission to the respective Election Officer’s office is set for November 29, which is within a month following the election day.
As per Republic Act (RA) 7166, also known as the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, no elected official can assume their role without submitting their SOCE.
Additionally, the DILG urged the incoming village officials to meticulously verify the inventory report detailing the assets and properties of the barangays. This report should be validated by the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Inventory Team. Such measures are crucial for ensuring a seamless transition of governance and the effective handover of responsibilities and initiatives under the Local Governance Transition program.
Comelec also highlighted that the official declaration of candidates with unresolved disqualification cases will be put on hold. If a candidate secures the majority of votes, their proclamation will remain suspended until Comelec provides further directives.
This approach ensures that potential disqualifications are not overlooked, even if a candidate is declared a winner.