Several candidates failed to file their campaign contribution expenditure, according to the Guam Election Commission.  It has the GEC taking a harder stance, giving candidates a final reminder before they’ll be forced to take action.

The agency is increasing enforcement against Decision 2024 candidates who failed to file their campaign contribution expenditure. GEC chairman Jerry Crisostomo was shocked to learn just how many did not file during a recent GEC meeting.  "There are too many people here that haven’t filed," he said. "There’s some people here that have actually won. Like the CCU commissioners didn’t file at all, period, and he won a seat. 21:51 so I think we need to put beef into this."

Several still have not filed despite being contacted multiple times, according to GEC executive director Maria Pangelinan. "There are no fines. We do contact them and we just patiently wait until they file," she told KUAM News.

"So at some point, do we refer this to the attorney general’s office for the filings, I mean if they failed to file after numerous attempts?"

The GEC has a duty to take action, according to legal counsel Vince Camacho, adding, "The commission has the authority to either fine or file something with the Attorney General’s Office. In the past, the commission has fined for violations which can include failure to file. But that’s up to you guys to discuss."

Commissioners expressing their concerns during the meeting as its an issue the GEC has faced in previous elections.  "I’m just concerned, there's quite a few here, if we don’t do anything they just get away with it. Then there’s precedence that the commission doesn’t really do anything, so 'why would I have to file?'" he said.

"Can’t it be published in the paper, all those that failed to file?"

Pangelinan recommending to give candidates once more chance to file their campaign contribution expenditures, as the GEC sent a final formal letter, allotting them ten more days.  

Those who still fail to file may be fined and reported to the AG's Office.  "You have people here that actually won that didn’t file preliminary or final," said Crisostomo.

Meanwhile, Pangelinan tells KUAM that some ended up filing since the GEC held their meeting. As of Friday, she estimates about nine still have yet to file. But she finds many simply did not file as they "did not spend any money" during the campaign.

In the meantime, the list of candidates is to be made public.

KUAM reached out for a copy.