Polls bets reminded to file SOCE

Local

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has reminded all candidates to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days after Election Day, warning that no extensions will be granted.

“Mag-atang nasad mi sa ilang statement of contribution and expenditure. They should submit 30 days from yesterday. No extension. Deadline is deadline,” said lawyer Ferdinand Gujilde, Comelec Cebu City chairman, during a post-proclamation interview.

The SOCE is a legal requirement under Philippine election laws that obliges all candidates, winning or losing, to disclose the total campaign contributions they received and the expenses they incurred during the campaign period.

Failure to comply could lead to penalties, including disqualification from holding public office or being barred from running in future elections.

The reminder was made shortly after Comelec proclaimed the winners of the local races in Cebu City, where Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates Nestor Archival Sr. and Tomas Osmeña secured the city’s top posts as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

Cebu City recorded a voter turnout of 84.52 percent, with 609,789 out of 721,469 registered voters casting their votes across 790 clustered precincts.

Gujilde lauded the high turnout, which he said was significantly above the typical range of 60 to 70 percent in past elections.

“Actually that’s quite high, 82%. Ang low, maybe 60–70. Pero dili jud ta ka expect ug 100% turnout because number one, naay uban dili na interesado, cynical na sila. Or wala sila diri, or kapoyan ug botar tungod sa congestion, taas ang linya unya init,” he said.

Gujilde described the conduct of elections as “peaceful and successful,” noting that while minor technical challenges occurred, these were not considered irregularities.

“Actually, peaceful and ako ma describe siya nga successful. Kay kung aduna man tay kakulian, dili gyud na malikayan, I don’t even call that irregularity, I call that error margin because it’s not a perfect system,” he said.

He also commended the Philippine National Police for their extensive preparation and effective security measures.

“Actually, gusto nako i-commend ato PNP, maayo kaayo, han-ay, comprehensive ang ilang security plan,” Gujilde added.

While the elections proceeded without major disruptions, Gujilde said there were delays in canvassing due to procedural errors involving ballots of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

“Kato rang sipyat sa mga Electoral Boards, nga ang ballots sa mga PWD and Persons Deprived of Liberty wala nila na feed unya nag closed voting na sila. So they had to do it all over again, i-reopen, i-rezero, i-feed ang mga ballots balik,” he said, adding that the process delayed canvassing by at least an hour.

At least 15 precincts in mountain barangays also had to manually transmit election results due to poor signal in those areas.

“Daghan, I think mga 15 kabuok. 15 precinct. Mountain barangays nga lisod ang signal,” he said.

All ballots were fully transmitted and claimed by the City Treasurer’s Office as of Tuesday, he added.

Despite expected inconveniences such as long queues and extreme heat, Gujilde said the commission did not receive any formal election protests or petitions related to the May 13 polls.

“Naa man gyud, naay reklamo. Mga tawo mismo. Mga botante, inconvenience, etc. Pero para nako, kitang tanan naa tay inconvenience sa election. Kay init ta, tropical country, summer pa jud ato elections. Ato nalang hunahunaon nga mao ni ato contribution sa democracy,” he said.

He also described the conduct of the 2025 elections as “template-like,” with no distinct deviations from past elections.

“Actually, wala ra. Mura siyag template. Pabalik balik ra siya,” Gujilde said.(TGP)