Manila, April 4 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc upheld the perpetual disqualification of former senator Sergio "Serge" Osmena 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 Osmena'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 ma...