Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30)— The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will no longer require winning candidates to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) as a requirement before they can assume the position.
\”Considering that candidates are already required to file the SOCE with Comelec under Sec. 14 of RA 7166, the additional requirement of the submission to DILG of the Comelec Certification of SOCE filing may be deemed as duplicative,\” according to Memorandum Circular No. 2023-165 signed by Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. on Friday.
The law requires a candidate to file a SOCE with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) within 30 days after election day. In line with this, the DILG issued a memorandum circular directing newly elected officials to submit to the agency a certification from Comelec on the SOCE submission before assuming office.
In a separate interview on Monday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said candidates need to submit their SOCE to Comelec before assuming their position.
\”Ay yun pong requirement ng SOCE door sa mga nakikinig pang kandidato, lahat po kayo required na mag-file ng statement of contribution and expenditure 30 araw mula araw na ito (Oct. 30). So November 29 magfa-file po kayo ng inyong SOCE. Kahit pa nga po kayo ay nag withdraw during the campaign period pero kayo ay kandidato, you have to file the SOCE,\” Garcia said.
[Translation: That is the requirement of SOCE, to our candidates, you’re all required to file your SOCE 30 days from today (Oct. 30). So Nov. 29, you have to file your SOCE, even if you have withdrawn from the campaign period but you’re still a candidate, you still have to file.]
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Meanwhile, Garcia said Comelec is coordinating with the DILG to issue an order that may allow one week proper turnover of equipment and resources to the newly elected officials.
\”Yes yun yung ating pinakiusap kay Secretary Abalos, hindi man namin jurisdiction yan… Sabi natin mas maganda na meron tayong isang linggo na transition lalo na sa pag proper turnover ng mga kagamitan, pera at equipment at saka dokumento.\” he said.
[Translation: Yes that’s what we are requesting from Sec. Abalos, It’s not our jurisdiction but we are anticipating that. We told him that it would be better if they’ll have one week to transition to properly turnover the equipment.]
\”Baka maya maya pag-assume ng bagong official eh mabuti sana kung incumbent yung manalo. Eh kung bago yan baka walang maaabutan sa mismong barangay hall,\” he added.
[Because maybe after the new official assumes his post, there’ll be no left equipment or resources in the barangay hall to catch up with. Unless he is an incumbent.]
Barangay and SK officials end their term on Oct. 30, while the new officials begin on Oct. 31. Comelec has yet to formally request to DILG the one-week transition period.
