The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to decide on the ₱30 million campaign donation made by a government contractor to former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero before the 2022 elections.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said both Escudero and Centerways Construction and Development president Lawrence Lubiano have responded to the show cause orders issued by the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD). The case is now under resolution to determine possible violations of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits campaign contributions from individuals or entities with government contracts.
“The law does not make a distinction on whether or not a candidate wins or not, just that the liability is the same,” Garcia said, noting that both donor and recipient may face criminal charges punishable by one to six years in prison.
Escudero denied any wrongdoing, saying the donation was legal and properly declared. Lubiano, his top campaign donor, also maintained that the money came from his personal funds and not from government projects.
Lawyer Eldrige Marvin Aceron, who filed an ethics complaint against Escudero, claimed Lubiano’s firms won government contracts in Sorsogon while Escudero was governor, and later secured ₱16.6 billion worth of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects after Escudero became senator.
“This is not a case of a politician accepting a donation from a friend, then that friend’s company coincidentally winning contracts later,” Aceron said. “This is a case of a contractor winning government contracts under a Governor’s administration, that contractor then donating ₱30 million to that Governor’s Senate campaign, and that contractor’s other companies then winning billions more after the Governor becomes senator.”
The Comelec will also hold a hearing on November 21 for 27 construction firms that allegedly donated to candidates in the 2022 elections despite holding government contracts. Another 27 firms without contracts may not be covered by the same election law.
Garcia said the Comelec is coordinating with the DPWH to verify certifications of 31 other public works contractors who contributed to candidates.
“Ang pakay ng Commission on Elections ay kasong criminal sapagkat ito ay prohibited na donasyon at ang pinaparusahan ay ang nagbigay at tumanggap,” he said.