‘Elected officials in 2013 polls should file expenses before assuming post’
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has come up with a resolution, prohibiting anyone who will be elected in the 2013 mid-term elections to assume office until they filed their statement of election contributions and expenditures (SECE).
In Resolution No. 9476, the Comelec said this prohibition also applies “if the party that nominated the winning candidates fails to file the statement” within 30 days after election day.
The Comelec noted that after filing a SECE, a candidate would receive a “certifi cate of submission” that must be presented upon assumption of office. “Said certificate shall only attest to the receipt of this statement but not as to the veracity of its content.”
Failure to file SECE shall constitute an administrative offense that is punishable with a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000. For second offense, the fine shall be P2,000 to P60,000 plus perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
For candidates for party-list representatives, senator, vice president and president, the fine is P30,000 to P60,000 for the first and second offenses respective while, the fine for governor and vice governor is P25,000 to P30,000.
A fine of P20,000 to P40,000 would be imposed on candidates for congressmen, board members, city mayors and vice mayors for the first and second offenses, respectively.
Candidates for municipal mayor and vice mayor and councilors face a fine of P10,000 for the first offense and P20,000 for the second offense.
The resolution upholds Comelec Resolution No. 3636, which stipulates the expenditures that candidates and parties may incur.
The resolution contains the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act. 9006 or the Fair Election Act.
Under the resolution, the “aggregate amount” that candidates for president and vice president can spend per voter is P10. Other candidates could spend P3 per voter.
“Candidates without any political party and without support from any political party - P5 - for every voter currently registered in the constituency where the candidate filed his certificate of candidacy,” the resolution stated.