Deadline for filing of poll expense reports extended

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has moved the deadline for the submission of expenditure and contribution reports of candidates in the recently concluded automated elections from June 9 to June 24. In an interview with reporters, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said they have granted the petition of militant group Akbayan to extend the submission statement of contributions and expenditure by 15 more days. In its petition, Akbayan said there was not enough time to prepare the report in full compliance with the format prescribed by the Comelec. Sarmiento said Comelec chairman Jose Melo opted to extend the deadline for all parties to be fair. "He (Melo) said it should be across the board," he said. Comelec Resolution 8944, issued last May 25, states that the statement must indicate the amount of contribution, the date of its receipt, and the full name and address of the person who gave the contribution. It should also state the amount spent in every expenditure, the date it was incurred, the full name and address of the person who paid for it, and the purpose of the expenditure. It should likewise indicate if the candidate has an “unpaid obligation" to any person. Failure to file the statement will prevent a person from assuming office, if he is elected. Non-compliance also constitutes an administrative offense that is punishable by a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 at the discretion of the Comelec. Violation of the spending limit is also an election offense, which is punishable by disenfranchisement, disqualification from holding public office, and imprisonment from one to six years. The Comelec was still drafting the resolution extending the deadline as of posting time, Sarmiento said. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV