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MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a firm reminder to all candidates, political parties and party-list groups, both winners and losers, to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by June 11 to avoid penalties.
“No elected candidate shall assume office unless the submission of SOCE is complied with within the period allowed by law,” the Comelec said.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia noted that the SOCE must reflect the total amount of campaign expenditures, as well as all contributions and donations received. The document must be notarized and any false declarations may result in perjury charges.
Unspent campaign funds, meanwhile, must also be declared and reported to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for appropriate tax processing, Garcia added.
The poll body clarified that all official candidates, whether elected, defeated or those who withdrew after the start of the campaign period, are required to file their SOCE.
The deadline for the filing of SOCE is non-extendible and submissions must be made in person on weekdays, including Saturdays and holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Submissions via registered mail, email, courier or messenger will not be accepted.
Non-compliance constitutes an election offense, which is punishable by imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Comelec also reminded all candidates and party-list groups – winners and losers alike – to remove all campaign materials within five days after election day, including online content.
Failure to remove these could result in an election offense case, according to Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco.
53% drop in ERIs recorded
Meanwhile, in terms of election security, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday that election-related incidents (ERIs) dropped by 53 percent during the 2025 midterm elections, marking a significantly more peaceful electoral exercise compared to previous years.
Data from the PNP showed a total of 49 documented ERIs this year, a sharp decline from the 105 incidents recorded during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in 2023.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil credited the improvement to intensified security operations carried out in close coordination with the Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies.
He said the deployment of additional police officers in election areas of concern was a factor in the peaceful outcome of the elections, in compliance with the directive of President Marcos.
“This downward trend in poll-related incidents is a testament to our commitment to uphold the President’s vision of a democratic process that is free from fear, intimidation and violence,” he said in a statement.
The BSKE in 2023 had been noted for recording the highest number of ERIs in recent years – 288.88 percent higher than the 27 incidents reported during the 2022 national and local elections.
This year’s elections reflected a more secure political climate, with the Cordillera Administrative Region posting the highest number of incidents at 13.
This was followed by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with eight and Calabarzon with five.
Marbil commended police officers for maintaining professionalism and refraining from engaging in any form of partisan political activity throughout the campaign and election period. The PNP reported no cases of political bias among its personnel.
To reinforce neutrality and accountability, the PNP deployed members of its Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and Internal Affairs Service to monitor compliance on the ground.
Alert status down
Following the peaceful and orderly conduct of the midterm elections, the PNP has downgraded its alert status to heightened alert.
Placed on full alert on May 10, the PNP was scheduled to remain in this status until May 15.
However, with most election returns already canvassed, national police public information officer Col. Randulf Tuaño announced that the PNP had begun realigning its forces.
“Those who have completed their election duties can now return to their regular tasks,” Tuaño stated during a news briefing at Camp Crame.
Tuaño added that local police commanders would determine whether to maintain full alert status based on the peace and order situation in their areas of responsibility.
Around 3,117 individuals were arrested and 3,204 firearms were confiscated during the PNP’s enforcement of the election gun ban.
Since May 12, no other incidents related to the election have been monitored.
