Need to file SOCE? Comelec launches online platform for submission

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Need to file SOCE? Comelec launches online platform for submission

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday launched an online platform for the filing of Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) which is expected to be used in the upcoming polls. 

Comelec Chairman George Garcia led the soft launch of the Project SURI Siyasatin (Investigate), Unawain (Understand), Resolbahin (Resolve),  at Ipanagot (Ensure Accountability) at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. 

According to the poll body, Project SURI seeks to modernize financial reporting and promote transparency through the platform. 

The public can also view filed SOCEs in the future through the platform, Garcia said. 

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This platform for SOCE submissions would also be used in the coming elections, Garcia said. 

“Sa mga darating na halalan, simula ng sa Bangsamoro, kung marunong din lang at may mauutusan ang kandidato, gagamitin na lang nila itong Project SURI na ito. Online na ang submission,” Garcia told reporters. 

“Napakabeneficial sa lahat – sa members ng media, sa mga civil society, sa mga interesadong kababayan natin kasi may data analytics, ibig sabihin may gusto kang information na malaman sa lahat ng kandidato across the board na patungkol sa submission nila halimbawa donors, yun lang gusto mo makita, ibibigay sayo mismo,” he added. 

The poll chief added that the public can see other categories under SOCE.  Candidates can still opt to file their SOCE through the platform or even in person. 

“Sana sa mga susunod na election natin, gamitin na ito ng mga kandidato. Siyempre may option naman sila... Kaya lang, kung dito kasi, napakaganda ng recording. Kapag nagamit mo yan, recorded kaagad, submitted kaagad. Hindi mo na kinakailangan pumunta dito sa Manila o sa Comelec main office para mag-submit or sa local Comelec,” he said. 

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Garcia urged the public to point out discrepancies in the candidates’ financial reports. 

“Ang aming political and finance department, 48 lang ang tao sa 44,000 (candidates). Maaaring makita namin sobra ng P5 o P10, o hindi gumastos ng P3 per registered voter pero tunay ba ang ginastos? Tunay ba ang nireport? Sadya bang nag-withhold ng information? Sadya ba yung resibo hindi resibo ng iba,” he said. 

“Maaaring hindi namin malaman yung ganoon.... We have to demand and we have to account,” he added. 

The platform was coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, ensuring that the system is secure and protected from hacking. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for its part, said the initiative would boost Comelec in maintaining transparent elections. 

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Comelec said the platform would be fully implemented during the Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections this October. 

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