Comelec upholds Osmeña's permanent disqualification for failing to submit SOCEs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has upheld former Senator Sergio Osmeña III's perpetual disqualification from public office due to his failure to submit Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) for the 2010 and 2016 elections.

Osmeña was denied a motion for reconsideration on April 3, with the en banc reaffirming its earlier decision from January 24, 2020.

The Comelec emphasized that non-submission of SOCEs undermines election integrity and justifies administrative fines and disqualification from public office.

Osmeña admitted filing his SOCE late in 2010 but cited being busy as campaign manager for the late President Benigno Aquino III, while in 2016 he blamed disorganization after the election.

The Comelec en banc noted that it had given multiple opportunities to Osmeña to file his SOCEs and highlighted that compliance with SOCE requirements is mandated for all candidates regardless of their expenditure.