Comelec to release resolution on Escudero campaign donation case

Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero — File photo from Senate Social Media Unit

MANILA, Philippines — The Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to release its resolution on the case of campaign fund donation received by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero from a contractor, said Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday.

The PFAD is responsible for reviewing and validating statements of contributions and expenditures of election candidates.

“The [PFAD] said that, hopefully, they will release their recommendation in one to two weeks,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

The Comelec earlier asked Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., to explain his P30-million donation to the campaign of then senatorial candidate Escudero in the 2022 elections that could violate the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

READ: Comelec: Chiz affidavit says he thought P30M was ‘private fund’

This was then confirmed by Escudero who previously said that he accepted the donation but did not help the firm secure flood control projects.

A show cause order was also issued to Escudero, who said in his affidavit that he only accepted the donation as he believed the money came from a “private fund.”

Garcia said that there must be progress in the case as many Filipinos are expecting what will happen in this issue. He reiterated that government contractors are not allowed to donate to the campaign of election candidates.

Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code states that “[n]o contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following: (c) 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.”

The last part of Section 95 also states that “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or receive any contribution from any of the persons or entities enumerated herein.”

What happens after the PFAD files its recommendation?

Garcia explained that if the PFAD finds that there is a violation of the OEC, they will elevate the case to the poll body’s law department.  He clarified that what the PFAD did is not a formal investigation, but a case build-up.

READ: Comelec: 9 contractors so far donated to May 2025 poll bets

The law department will then conduct a formal preliminary investigation. If it finds probable cause, it will submit the findings to the Comelec en banc.

With this, Garcia said that if the en banc determined that the law department’s findings are right and there is a probable cause, it will instruct the filing of a case to a regional trial court against the involved contractor and politician.

Garcia also shared that he will inhibit himself if the Comelec en banc will decide on this case as he had previous professional ties with Escudero.

The PFAD earlier found out that 55 contractors donated to the campaign of several candidates in the 2022 elections. However, Garcia said that the poll body is yet to get a response from its request to the Department of Public Works and Highways to determine if they secured contracts with the government.

He said that once the poll body finds out which among the list are government contractors, they will issue a show cause order to them, as well as the candidates who received campaign donations from them.

He also shared that around nine contractors pitched in to the campaign of some candidates of the May 2025 elections. However, he clarified that the list is not yet final. /das