Senator Francis Escudero maintained that the ₱30-million campaign donation he received from a construction firm during the 2022 national elections was legal, properly declared, and compliant with election laws.
In a counter-affidavit submitted to the Commission on Elections on Tuesday, Escudero’s camp said the contribution from Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., did not violate any election-related prohibitions.
The senator’s legal counsel, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, said Escudero’s team filed their response ahead of the deadline to show respect for the Comelec process and confidence in the donation’s legality.
“Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we are confident the Comelec will find no fault,” Esguerra said.
According to him, the contribution was duly reported in Escudero’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures in accordance with existing laws and procedures.
The filing came after the Comelec issued a show-cause order directing Escudero to explain the donation amid questions about whether it breached Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The provision prohibits candidates from accepting contributions from corporations or individuals engaged in government contracts to prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Centerways Construction is among 15 firms earlier identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as being under scrutiny for alleged anomalies in flood control projects across the country.
