The Commission on Elections clarified that all statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) submission undergo a validation process in response to reports that they are investigating President Duterte's SOCE in connection with the alleged undeclared campaign contribution of Rep.Imee Marcos.
"We are validating all SOCE submissions. We are not singling out the President," COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
President Rodrigo Duterte stated in a speech that the Ilocos Norte Representative was one of his campaign donors for the Presidential elections.
"If someone were to file a verified complaint then possibly, we can investigate. We cannot start a particular investigation based only on the President's statement, there should be an affidavit that the President actually said it." Jimenez added.
Under Comelec's Omnibus Rules on Campaign Finance, an incomplete SOCE is considered "not filed," a violation that carries a P30,000 fine for presidential candidates and political parties while non-disclosure of donors is an election offense according to Section 106 of the Omnibus Election Code which requires candidates and treasurers of political parties to issue a receipt for every contribution, as well as keep "detailed, full and accurate records of all contributions received. ###
Source: Education and Information Department