PDP-Laban asks SC to nullify Comelec resolution extending SOCE filing deadline

By Rey G. Panaligan and Samuel P. Medenilla Stressing that the filing of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by candidates and political parties is “mandatory and non-extendible,” the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the party of President Duterte,  asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to nullify the June 30, 2016 extension of the deadline granted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). In a 25-page petition, PDP-Laban through its secretary-general, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon  Alvarez, incoming speaker of the House of Representatives,  told the SC that Comelec Resolution No. 10147 dated June 23, 2016, should be set aside for violating Section 14 of Republic Act 7166, the Synchronized Local and National Elections and Electoral Reforms Act. Section 14 requires all candidates and the treasurer of a political party to file their SOCEs within 30 days after the day of election or until June 8, 2016, 30 days [...]