Sorsogon contractor admits giving P30 million to Escudero’s campaign

Metro Manila, Philippines - A contractor from Sorsogon admitted that he gave P30 million for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s senatorial campaign in 2022.

In the House infrastructure committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 2, Centerways Construction and Development President Lawrence Lubiano said he already secured several government projects at the time he donated to Escudero.

“Personally ko po donation or nag-donate po ako kay Senator Chiz 'yung P30 million. Hindi po galing sa company 'yun, galing po 'yun sa akin,” Lubiano stressed.

[Translation: My P30-million donation came from my personal money, not from the company.]

Centerways, which secured over P5.4 billion worth of government deals, is among the top 15 contractors with the most flood control projects nationwide.

Lubiano said Centerways has bagged about 80 government projects, most of which are in Sorsogon – Escudero’s hometown – since 2022.

“I was checking the website of Sumbong sa Pangulo, ang nakita ko du'n umaabot yata ng [I saw government projects reach] around 50, 53? Can you confirm that?” Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno asked, to which Lubiano replied he was uncertain.

“But you are sure that most of your projects are located in Sorsogon?” Diokno pressed and Lubiano answered “yes.”

Escudero earlier confirmed receiving Lubiano’s donation but denied any involvement in the business operations of Centerways.

Upon Diokno’s further questioning, Lubiano said he has family members in government – his brothers are a mayor in a Sorsogon town and a city councilor.

The Senate and House of Representatives have been conducting separate inquiries on supposed anomalous infrastructure projects, in which some lawmakers are being tagged.

READ: Some DPWH officials bagmen, legmen of contractors - Lacson