The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 27 contractors with existing or past projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2010 to 2025.
In a certification issued on October 14 and made public on October 29, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia revealed the list, which includes Yunakim Construction, A.I.P Construction, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., Makiling Construction Ventures Corp., Viking Construction and Supplies, and several others.
Meanwhile, the DPWH clarified that 26 other firms listed have no active or prior contracts with the agency.
Garcia said he has instructed the Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) to begin investigating the 27 contractors.
“When we asked for certification if they are government contractors, the DPWH said 27 are government contractors from 2010 onwards until 2025. The 26, on the other hand, said they are not public works contractors. Immediately, there were instructions to the PFAD to start the process with the 27 certified government contractors,” Garcia said.
He added that the probe began after these contractors were found to have made donations to election candidates. “They were found to have given donations to the candidates. Just to start the process with them. After they answer, we will make the candidates who were given by the 27 contractors to answer,” he explained.
Under Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code, government contractors are prohibited from making campaign contributions.
Garcia said they are still verifying how many candidates benefited from the contractors’ donations. “We’ll verify it with the PFAD… but once we’ve issued the show cause orders, we’ll let the public know who they gave donations to,” he said.
He clarified, however, that the issuance of show cause orders does not imply guilt. “We’re still asking them to answer because maybe they have a reason,” Garcia added.
