422 officials told: Leave your posts

MANILA - Twenty congressmen and more than 400 elected local officials will have to step down from their posts until they fully comply with the law on the filing of the statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs). Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes said officials ordered to step down for failing to file their SOCEs include 4 governors, 1 vice-governor, 12 Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 3 mayors, 20 congressmen, 9 city vice-mayors, 47 Sangguniang Panglunsod, 23 municipal mayors, 26 municipal vice-mayors and 277 Sangguniang Bayan. Under the poll body's agreement with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, these elected officials are not allowed to assume office until they have fully complied with the SOCE requirements. Included in the list are former President and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejército, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Ronald Singson and Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto. In a tweet this morning, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said no deadline has been set for these elected officials to submit their proper SOCEs but they will have to vacate their posts until they do so. ANC Dateline Philippines, December 12, 2103