Pagadian City, Mar 22 (PIA) -- Local candidates will now be strictly required to file their statement of election expenditures and contributions pursuant to Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Election Act of 1991.
This developed as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed an agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the strict adherence of local elective candidates on the requirement of filing their statement of election contributions and expenses before the Commission in accordance with the said law.
Section 14 of RA 7166 specifically states that, “Every candidate and treasurer of the political party shall, within thirty (30) days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Commission the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election.”
The same provision provides that “No person to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of expenditures herein required.”
DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said that under the MOA that he signed with Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr., winning candidates to any local elective position shall now be required to present a Comelec certification that they have filed their elections and expenditures statement before the Department administers their oath of office or allows them to assume into office.
“Public officials should start with a clean slate and submit an honest-to-goodness report of the list of those who funded their campaign and the expenses that they have incurred during the campaign period, said Robredo.
Covered under the MOA are governors, vice-governors, mayors, vice-mayors and members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod and bayan.
At the same time, the law provides that except for candidates for elective barangay office, failure to file the said statements shall constitute an administrative offiense where offenders shall be fined from P1,000 to P30,000.
Moreover, perpetual disqualification to hold public office and an administrative fine of P2,000 to P60,000 shall be imposed upon those who fail to comply with the obligation of filing their statements for the second or subsequent offense.
“Those who are planning to seek public office should be mindful of the requirements of the law. For all intents and purposes, candidates, whether local or national, should do this in good faith and in the spirit of transparency,” Robredo said, as he noted that during past elections, there was low compliance among local candidates on the said law provision.
The DILG Secretary said the Department will likewise issue a directive to local government officials who are likewise authorized to administer oaths to require the same Comelec certification, and to the Philippine National Police for its assistance in implementing the necessary legal processes, particularly on the perpetual disqualification of candidates. (DILG/PIA9/CAL)