Former senator Sergio Osmeña III, 81, has been perpetually disqualified from seeking public office for non-submission of his Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) during the 2010 and 2016 senatorial races.



In an en banc ruling released on Friday (April 4), the Commission on Elections upheld previous decision of the Second Division on the issue.



In a 16-page decision, the Comelec en banc junked the former senator’s motion for reconsideration for lack of merit. It, thus, affirmed the Second Division that imposed an administrative fine and perpetual disqualification from holding public office against the grandson of the late former President Sergio Osmeña Sr.



Now an octogenarian, the younger Osmeña served a total of two terms as senator. In the Senate he was elected chairman of the Committees on Bank, Financial Institutions and Currencies and Energy.



He did not join the 2025 senatorial race.



In its decision, the Comelec underscored the importance of the filing of SOCE among all candidates seeking elective positions.



It stressed that submission of said requirements is vital in order to “protect the sanctity of the electoral process and ultimately the will of the electorate.



“Prudence and fairness dictate that respondent cannot evade liability for his own delay and/or inaction. Compliance with SOCE requirements is mandated for all candidates regardless of the magnitude of their expenditure,” the Comelec ruled.



The poll body stated: “Respondent cannot be exempted from this duty.”



According to the Comelec decision, Osmeña has failed to present enough evidence to convince the body that the division ruling should be overturned.