Comelec permanently disqualifies Pangasinan candidate over SOCE violations

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has perpetually disqualified a Pangasinan candidate from holding public office for repeatedly failing to file his Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs).

Comelec said Wednesday, 7 October, that its Second Division granted a petition filed by the commission’s Political Finance and Affairs Department against Nicasat Engelbert Alvear Tugade.

Tugade was found to have failed to file his SOCE twice, resulting in his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The Second Division also imposed administrative fines of P10,000 for the first offense and P20,000 for the second.

Records from the Political Finance and Affairs Department showed that Tugade ran for a seat on the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fabian, Pangasinan, in 2016 and 2022.

He failed to submit his SOCE to the Comelec after both elections.