Comelec en banc affirms perpetual DQ of Serge Osmeña

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) affirmed the perpetual disqualification meted out by the second division against former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, in a resolution released on Friday, April 4, 2025. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) affirmed the perpetual disqualification meted out by the second division against former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III.

“The Commission En Banc RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to DENY the Motion for Reconsideration for LACK OF MERIT and AFFIRM the Resolution dated 24 January 2020 of the Commission (Second Division),” the poll body said in a resolution released on Friday.

Osmeña’s disqualification was due to his failure to submit his Statement of Campaign Expenses (Soce) before the poll body when he ran for senator in 2010 and 2016.

But Osmeña, in 2018, said he had filed his Soce for the 2010 polls, albeit late. He had also said he asked for an extension before the Comelec en banc, but he has not heard from them since.

READ: Serge Osmena; No reason for Comelec to seek my disqualification

“Prudence and fairness dictate that Respondent cannot evade liability for his own delay and/or inaction,” the resolution said.

All candidates are required to fulfill their Soces and “respondent cannot be excepted from this duty.”

Under the Republic Act No. 1766, a candidate who failed to file his Soce for the second time would be penalized by “perpetual disqualification to hold public office.”

Osmeña can still elevate his Comelec disqualification to the Supreme Court.