The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a resolution making clear rules in penalizing candidates who fail to bare campaign contributions and expenses, a document showed.
The resolution is seen to improve the imposition of administrative fines or disqualification against candidates who are unable to file their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE).
It has been approved in an en banc meeting in Aug. 13, excerpts of which were sent to reporters Wednesday.
Following Republic Act (RA) 7166, an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000 will still be imposed upon first offense, the resolution said.
A fine of P2,000 to P60,000 will meanwhile be collected should a subsequent offense be committed, with an additional penalty of perpetual disqualification--either be special or absolute.
Absolute disqualification deprives individuals of the right to hold public office, vote and collect retirement pay or pension.
On the other hand, special disqualification is limited to disqualification from public office.
Defining a "subsequent offense," meanwhile, the resolution said: "Simply put, a second or subsequent offense means the failure of a candidate to file his or her SOCE for two or more times, regardless of the position for which he or she file his or her COC (certificate of candidacy)."
Disqualification cases may be initiated by Comelec on its own or upon the complaint of any individual or party, the resolution noted.
Fourteen early winners in the party-list race have been named Friday even as the protracted count of votes continues.
