File photo of Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia from ABS-CBN.
Amid the ongoing review of the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) filed by candidates after the May midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disclosed that it has already identified 21 contractors linked to government projects who may have contributed to the campaigns of senatorial and congressional candidates in the 2025 national and local elections (NLE).
In a press statement, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia announced the contractor’s list they have formed, which initially contained nine private companies earlier in the week, emerged during their ongoing review of the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) filed by candidates after the May midterm elections.
“As of today, we have identified 21 contractors who may have contributed to the campaigns of senatorial and congressional candidates in the 2025 elections,” Garcia told the media.
“We will still have to confirm with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) if these contractors indeed have ongoing government projects,” he added.
The poll chief explained that the names surfaced during the verification of campaign finance documents, with the Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department leading the investigation, which seeks to determine whether donations came from individuals or from corporations holding active contracts with the government—a potential violation of election laws prohibiting such contributions.
“These 21 may represent around six or seven candidates. Once we verify the information with the DPWH, we will make the findings public,” Garcia spelled out as he clarified that the validation of SOCEs for senatorial and congressional candidates is expected to be completed by next week, after which formal notices will be sent to both the contractors and politicians involved.
Citing the importance of transparency in any election, Garcia explained under Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code, government contractors are barred from making political campaign contributions, while candidates are prohibited from accepting or soliciting donations from such entities.
Violation of these stipulations would render a strict ruling of imprisonment of one to six years for violators and erring candidates may be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.