By LITO RULONA Correspondent THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded winning and losing candidates in the May 9 elections to file their statements of contributions and expenditures (Soce) preferably before tomorrow’s deadline. Comelec regional director Wilfred Jay Balizado said the best time to file the statements would be today because of documentary requirements that need to be attached. “I-check pa na kung wala ba’y problema kay kung mo-file sa deadline unya dunay problema sama ra sa wala ka mo-file. So kung dunay kulang sorry na lang,” Balizado said. The filing of the Soce is in compliance with Comelec Resolution 9991 or the Omnibus Rules and Regulations Governing Campaign Finance and Disclosure. The Soce must contain the list of each contribution received by the candidate or party, list of every expenditure made by the candidate or party, and a list of any unpaid obligation, its nature, and amount. Balizado said even candidates who withdrew or those who did not spend anything during the campaign period are required to submit the Soce. The Comelec said the election winners would be prevented from holding office unless they complied with this requirement. “If you assume your position, we will ask you to vacate if you have not filed your Soce. Dapat managana sila daan. Apil i-attached ang mga resibo sa gasoline, snacks, and contract to printers and media expenses,” Balizado said. Erring politicians, he said, could be fined from P10,000 to P30,000 for the first offense, and P20,000 to P60,000 for the second offense. In a memorandum, Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, said the poll body would likely not extend the deadline. “Our deadline is on June 8. And it is non-extendible. So, if you fail to file it by that date, it’s considered not filed,” he said.