The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified nine government contractors who allegedly donated to the campaign of some candidates in the latest polls, Comelec chairman George Garcia said on Thursday.
Garcia also said the Comelec may come up soon with its report on the P30-million contribution by a government contractor to Senator Francis Escudero’s campaign in the 2022 elections.
Garcia made the remark as the poll body starts examining statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs) of the candidates who ran in the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
We have yet to confirm any 2025 candidate but we identified more or less nine contractors,” he said.
Contractors in government projects are prohibited from contributing funds to candidates under the Omnibus Election Code.
Article XI Section 95 of the law stipulated; “No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or subcontracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works.
Garcia said the issue of the P30-million donation by contractor Lawrence Lubiano to the Escudero’s war chest in the 2022 elections was expected to be resolved in two weeks.
He said the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department may issue its findings on the case before the end of the month after Escudero filed his reply to the Comelec’s show-cause order (SCO).
“The public may expect a resolution on the case in up to two weeks,” the Comelec chief said.
The poll body directed Escudero to explain the campaign donation he received from Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
Escudero, represented by his lawyer, submitted the reply on Tuesday, Oct. 14. In his affidavit, Escudero explained that Lubiano made the campaign donation in private capacity, Garcia said.
Escudero claimed that based on his understanding, Lubiano’s donation was made in personal capacity and the money came from his own pocket.
In September, the poll body also issued an show cause order against Lubiano, asking to explain his campaign donation to Escudero and justify why he should not be charged of an election offense for violating Section 95 of the OEC.
Escudero had also said Lubiano was his campaign contributor in the 2022 elections, but added that he had no involvement in any flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon and other parts of the country.
