The Commission on Elections en banc upheld the perpetual disqualification of former senator Sergio Osmeña III from seeking public office due to non-submission of his Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) for the 2010 and 2016 polls.
In a 16-page decision dated April 3 and made public Friday, the seven-member en banc denied Osmeña’s motion for reconsideration for lack of merit and affirmed the Jan. 24, 2020 decision of the poll body’s Second Division which imposed an administrative fine and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
“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. Respondent cannot be exempted from this duty,” it said.
It noted the respondent failed to present more evidence that would warrant the reversal of the earlier ruling.
The Comelec en banc added it has given multiple opportunities for Osmeña to file to his SOCEs for the two polls.
The poll body, meanwhile, noted the SOCE submission requirement for candidates aims to “protect the sanctity of the electoral process and ultimately the will of the electorate.”