INTRAMUROS, Manila — With the statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) being prepared for public consumption, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging voters to scrutinuze their choices in the upcoming national and local elections (NLE) this May by confirming the veracity of the candidates' SOCE entries.

In a statement, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia underscored the importance of publishing candidates' SOCE in order for the electorate to counter-check details that would help them the right person to vote.

“Kailangan (makita ng tao ang SOCE) upang malaman kung talagang tama ba yung mga nire-report o baka mayroon silang hindi na-report mga gastusin. O kaya naman, may mga nagbigay na wala doon sa SOCE," Garcia enjoined voters.

“Ganun ka-importante na andyan ‘yung SOCE, nakapublish, upang makounter-check ng hindi lang ng Comelec, kung hindi lang mga publiko,” he added.

The Comelec chief, however, admitted that SOCE has limitations, given that it only covers the expenses of the candidates within the campaign period, which only lasts for two to three months and not starting from the period of the filing of candidacy from October 1 to 8, 2024 as provided by a Supreme Court ruling.
“We have to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court,” Garcia noted.

He likewise cited that it would be very hard to determine if the candidates and the campaign donors conspire not to disclose the real amount of the campaign expenditure involved.

Still, he asserted that the SOCE and the scrutiny it will bring will at least ensure that the candidate is "playing by the rules.

“What is important here is they have to submit the SOCE, because that is accountability. If a candidate goes around campaigning with disregard of the law, then you cannot expect anything out of that candidate if he or she gets elected,” Garcia concluded while adding that the Comelec is set to issue a resolution presuming celebrities and influencers endorsing candidates for Eleksyon 2025 are paid contractors.