Comelec is ready to provide copies of De Lima’s SOCE to Congress – Bautista

Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Gen. Luna St. cor. Andres Soriano Jr. Ave, Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Ramon FVelasquez/Wikipedia)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to provide copies of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) of Senator Leila de Lima to both Houses of Congress if the lawmakers will ask for the election document.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista noted that the SOCE is a public document and they can furnish copies of it to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“Itong SOCE na ito ay public document naman, so kung ito ay hihingin ng mga committee sa House of Representatives or Senate, handa naman kaming ibigay ito,” he said in an interview at the sidelines of the Round Table Discussion held at the De La Salle University-Taft on Friday.

The event is part of the Asian Tour on the “use of technology in elections” of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

The poll body chief reiterated that based on the said document, they cannot determine those who are allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.

“Kasi kung baga, as you know, ang nangyayari dyan mayroong listahan ng mga contributors at may mga pangalan na lumalabas dyan.

Hindi naman kasi alam ng Comelec kung sino ba ang mga drug pusher or drug king,” he said.

He added, “Wala naman kaming confidential information na natatanggap, kaya ang sabi ko nga, wala kaming technical know-how to make that determination.”

Bautista said, however, that they are ready to look at the matter if ever a case will be filed before the poll body.

“Kailangan naming tingnan. Although, now that she is a member of the Senate, baka ang jurisdiction ay nasa Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET),” he added.