ANGELES CITY – A city councilor here has expressed her dismay over the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for her inclusion in the list of officials asked to vacate their posts for failing to submit on time and properly file their election contributions and expenses to the poll body.
Councilor Maricel “Marang” Morales said she had complied with the law when she submitted her Statement
of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) on June 13 which was prepared by her accountant.
Morales said Comelec Election Supervisor for this city Atty. Numer Lobo even issued her a “certificate of compliance” after she filed her SOCE in an official Comelec form amounting to a ballpark figure of around P300,000 which she also personally signed.
“I felt offended because as far as I know, I filed the proper form for SOCE as early as June 13. It was reviewed by
our Comelec officer and we were even assured that we used the correct form,” said Morales.
“It really hurt me when I was listening to the radio when they were reading the names of those who did not comply with the law knowing that I complied,” she added.”
Morales said she checked out the Rappler website for the complete list and “saw my name.” In a press conference on Dec 12, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said 424 officials should vacate their posts for failing to submit or for not signing their SOCE or for not using the prescribed SOCE form.
Brillantes announced that “422 local officials are affected,” but the list provided to media has 424 names which included Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo.
But aside from Morales and Arroyo, Apalit Councilor Jed Dalusong and Candaba Councilors Goding Pelayo and Chacha Sombillo complete the list of Pampanga officials in the Comelec list of non-compliance of the law on SOCE.
Meanwhile, Morales said she requested Lobo to write a letter to the Comelec main office and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) stating her compliance with the law. She said she was assured by Lobo that he will vouch for her compliance.
