May 13 bets told: Submit campaign finance reports

MANILA – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Friday reminded winning and losing candidates to submit their statement of contributions and expenditures on or before the June 12 deadline, saying the poll body will be stricter in enforcing the requirement this year than in previous years.

Brillantes said that if they fail to submit their reports, losing candidates will be fined up to P30,000 and disqualified from running in succeeding elections.

Winning candidates who fail to submit their reports will be prohibited from assuming office.

"Mas mahigpit kami ngayon kasi mayro'n kaming kontrata with the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government)," he told reporters.

"They will not allow assumption to office of anybody who has not submitted the statement of contributions and expenditures."

Brillantes added that the deadline will not be extended.

Initially, the poll body will only monitor candidates' compliance with the submission requirement.

Later on, however, Brillantes said they will check if the expenses exceed the limit set by law.

The law allows candidates belonging to political parties to spend only up to P3 per voter. Independent candidates and political parties are authorized to spend up to P5 per voter for the campaign.