Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero did not commit an election offense when he received ₱30 million from the president of a government contractor, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) department found out, effectively terminating the probe on the two.
In September, the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department launched an investigation after it was revealed that Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. – one of the top contractors for flood control projects – contributed to Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits campaign donations from certain entities, including government contractors.
In a resolution on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the department said it gave weight to Lubiano’s defense that he made the contribution in a personal capacity, treating him as a separate juridical entity from Centerways.
According to the Comelec, both Escudero and Lubiano stated they were “close-knitted friends” and that the senator had no knowledge of the government contracts of Lubiano’s company when the contribution was made.
“There is no evidence establishing that the funds used in the contribution originated from Centerways, or that its corporate money crept into the campaign funds of respondent Escudero thru the contribution made by respondent Lubiano,” the nine-page decision stated.
“There being no violation of Section 95 (c) of OEC committed by respondent Lubiano, it necessarily follows that the subsequent acceptance of contribution by respondent Escudero for his election campaign suffers no legal impediment,” it added.
The department recommended termination of the investigation, noting there is no evidence to support filing a complaint against either Escudero or Lubiano.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously said a number of senators also received campaign contributions from government contractors, but details remain undisclosed pending investigation.
