PDP Laban thanks Supreme Court for decision on SOCE filing

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) thanked the Supreme Court today for taking the party’s position that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) committed grave abuse of authority in granting extensions on the filing of statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) of candidates and political parties.

PDP Laban president and Palawan Representative Jose C Alvarez said that the high courts decision vindicates the party’s decision in June 2016 to challenge Comelec Resolution No. 10147 that granted the extension on the filing of SOCE that favored the Liberal Party and its candidates.

Then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 national polls to become the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Comelec has recognized in a final and executory decision the PDP Laban led by Party Chairman Rodrigo Duterte and Party President and Rep Alvarez as the true and legitimate PDP Laban.

“We thank the Supreme Court En Banc  for taking PDP Laban’s position in this landmark case and we also welcome the statement of the Comelec that it will no longer grant extensions on the filings of SOCEs in compliance with the SC’s decision,” Rep. Alvarez said.

The poll body also granted extension for SOCE filing after the 2013 and 2010 polls, which PDP Laban contends violated the provisions of Republic Act 7166 is the Synchronized Local and National Elections and Electoral Reforms Act.

“The Supreme Court decision voiding Comelec Resolution No. 10147 affirms the provisions of RA 7166 that states that the Comelec is not authorized to extend the deadline for the filing of SOCE or not beyond 30 days after the polls conclude,” Rep. Alvarez said.

“This decision should serve as a warning to all candidates that they should just comply with laws like RA 7166 and not seek exemptions from the Comelec. Based on the law, candidates who fail to file their SOCEs on or before the deadline cannot assume the elected position that they won,” he added.

The PDP Laban hailed the statement of the Comelec that it will no longer grant extensions on the deadline for SOCEs of candidates and political parties as the Supreme Court en banc already ruled clearly on the matter.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia in message on Wednesday said the poll body will abide by the Supreme Court decision.

“No extensions from now on all our deadlines, except in highly meritorious circumstances,” he told reporters in a Viber message.

The Supreme Court stated in its en banc decision that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion by extending the SOCE deadline filing and “exempted candidates and political parties from administrative liabilities in violation of the clear language of the law and legislative intent.”