Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. urged all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates on Monday, Oct. 30, to file their Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) before the Nov. 29 deadline.
Specifically, Abalos told the winning BSKE bets to submit their SOCE as required by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) "to ensure their seamless proclamation."
“I-submit n’yo ang Statement of Contributions and Expenditure sa COMELEC. Importante ‘yan. At huwag n’yo nang hintayin ang 30-day deadline (Submit your Statement of Contribution and Expenditures to the COMELEC. That is important. And do not wait for the 30-day deadline)," Abalos said.
Based on Republic Act No. 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, no elected officials may sit without filing their respective SOCE.
The SOCE is a thorough and comprehensive report about the campaign contributions and expenditures of the political candidates.
For transparency, candidates should file their SOCE to the Office of the Election Officer concerned on or before Nov. 29, 2023, or not later than one month after the day of the election.
The DILG chief also reminded the winning candidates to ensure that the inventory report of the barangays’ assets and properties are legitimate and are turned over to them properly.
“It should be accepted. At i-check n’yo rin nang maigi kung ilang computer ang iniwan, ilang sasakyan. Napakaimportante nito kasi mamaya may nawawala sa inyo pa maibintang (Carefully check how many computers and vehicles are left. That is very important because you might be accused if some things are lost)," Abalos stressed.