Isabela perennial bet ‘perpetually disqualified’ for not filing SOCEs

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — The Commission on Elections has ordered the “perpetual disqualification” of an aspiring politician in Isabela’s San Mariano town from any elective post because he failed to submit his statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs) for two consecutive elections in 2019 and 2022.

Emmanuel Pua failed to submit his SOCEs after running for councilor in San Mariano town in 2019 and for Isabela provincial board member in 2022 under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) ticket.

Pua could not immediately be reached for comment on the Comelec ruling.

Records show he also filed his certificate of candidacy for governor in the 2025 polls.

However, his CoC was nullified after the Comelec ruled that he was a nuisance candidate, allowing Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III to run unopposed.

Due to his SOCE offenses, Comelec’s finance and political affairs department recommended Pua’s perpetual disqualification, which the poll body granted.

Pua was also ordered to pay administrative fines of P10,000 for the 2019 offense and P40,000 for the 2022 offense.

READ: Perpetually disqualified candidates still in Comelec’s poll list

The Comelec cited Republic Act No. 7166, or the 1991 Synchronized Elections Act, which requires candidates to file SOCEs after an election. It also says failure to comply may result in perpetual disqualification from holding public office, aside from administrative penalties. /mcm

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