Comelec going after bets with campaign materials still displayed

May 21, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will go after candidates in the recently held midterm polls whose campaign materials are still left hanging in public places.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will not let local and national candidates get away from leaving their campaign materials on display beyond the allowable period set by the commission.

“We gave them five days after the elections to remove their campaign materials. It’s been more than five days,” Garcia said.

The Comelec chief said that even if they are not able to disqualify candidates after elections, they can still file a criminal case against them.

“Because that’s an election offense,” he said.

Garcia said they can also run after these erring candidates on the issue of campaign materials, if they will participate in future elections.

“Those that committed violations now can still be held accountable the next time they file their Certificates of Candidacy again in future elections,” he said.

Garcia said he gave instructions to their field personnel to check whose campaign materials are still posted in public places.

He said the Comelec’s Task Force Baklas continues to monitor with the local Comelec offices as to reports concerning campaign materials.

Under Comelec Resolution 11086, the candidates shall remove or cause to remove all their election propaganda within five days after the elections. Failure to do so shall constitute an election offense.

File accurate SOCE

The Comelec yesterday warned all candidates, elected or not, to file an accurate statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) with the poll body or be filed with a criminal case.

Garcia said all candidates, including party-list groups and those who withdrew while the campaign was ongoing, have the obligation to file a “truthful” SOCE on or before June 11.

“If you file a SOCE with discrepancy, you will face falsification and perjury charges. That is lying. If in case you did not file SOCE for two consecutive times, a criminal case can be filed against you as well as perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” the poll body chief said.

“If the candidate’s expenses went beyond what is allowed, that is a ground for disqualification. We can still enforce this even after elections,” he said.

Apart from the amount, the official stressed that the SOCE should also reflect the names of the contributors.

“There are contributors who don’t like it when they don’t see their names on the list. We will upload the SOCE in the Comelec website,” Garcia said.

Non-filing of SOCE would entail paying an administrative fine.
Under Republic Act 7166, every candidate and treasurer of the political party must file their “full, true and itemized” statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election within 30 days after election day.

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