Comelec Campaign Finance Office: 'Disqualify Serge Osmeña III'

MANILA, Philippines — The Campaign Finance Office (CFO) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has recommended the perpetual disqualification of comebacking senator Sergio Osmeña III from any government office for allegedly twice failing to report his campaign expenses.

In a petition, the CFO said Osmeña failed to file his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) when he ran and won in the 2010 senatorial race.

Osmeña filed the document late and paid a fine for it, according to an ABS-CBN report.

However, in the 2016 elections, Osmeña failed to file the SOCE for his reelection bid.

Aside from a lifetime ban on holding public office whether elected or appointive, the CFO also recommended that Osmeña be slapped with an administrative fine of P60,000.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the commission still has to approve the recommendation “before any action can be taken on it.”

Under campaign finance rules of the Comelec, failure to file SOCE twice can lead to penalties.

Osmeña is attempting a comeback to the Senate and filed his certificate of candidacy with the Comelec last Oct. 17 as an independent.

He previously served as senator in 1995 to 2007 and again in 2010 to 2016.

In an interview, the senator said he wants to help President Duterte by crafting legislative measures beneficial to the people.

But he admitted that his long absence from the Senate would mean hard work in reintroducing himself.

“I have to campaign harder,” Osmeña said.