Comelec seeks explanation from gov’t contractor-donors
Commission on Elections. Inquirer file photo.
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has formally asked 27 government contractors to explain their alleged donations to the campaigns of several candidates in the 2022 elections.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body issued show cause orders (SCOs) to the contractors last Monday, and they are expected to submit their counter-affidavits within 10 calendar days.
He also said that the hearings to be conducted by the Political Finance and Affairs Department, which reviews and validates statements of contribution and expenditures of candidates, will be held on November 21, 2025.
“They have been issued notices so they can explain. I think in the next two weeks, they will be summoned in their own schedules starting next week so they can submit their counter-affidavits,” Garcia, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.
READ: Comelec: 27 gov’t contractors donate to 2022 poll bets
This came after the Comelec found that 27 contractors who donated to candidates’ campaigns in the 2022 elections had secured contracts with the government. The certification was provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Comelec requested the DPWH to determine which ones from its list of 54 contractors who had chipped in to candidates’ campaign funds were government contractors.
The DPWH found that of this figure, 26 did not secure government contracts.
Garcia also said that after the SCOs were issued to the contractors, the candidates who received the donations will also be summoned.
Garcia noted that the following candidates benefited from the donations: six senatorial candidates, five party-list nominees, four congressional district candidates, three gubernatorial candidates, two vice gubernatorial candidates, and one councilorial bet in Manila.
What does the Comelec want to know?
Garcia said the summoned contractors must explain why they should not be held liable for violating Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code.
Section 95(c) of the OEC 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.”
READ: Comelec: Chiz affidavit says he thought P30M was ‘private fund’
“We will determine their answers on the allegations that they are government contractors, public works contractors, and number two, their answer on their donation of a certain amount… And therefore, what is their contention on why the Commission on Elections should not file a case against them?” Garcia noted.
“‘That’s what we call due process, so if we have formal proceedings, or the preliminary investigation, more or less we will have a basis. And at the same time, if there will be a determination of a probable cause, then we will have a basis on the cases we will file to the courts so they won’t be dismissed.,” Garcia added.
Coordinating with BIR
Garcia also shared that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had identified the names of corporations believed to have donated to candidates.
He said that the Comelec is counterchecking whether the names matched with the poll body’s own list.
“Regardless of whether they are government contractors or not, the BIR monitors the donations. Where does the donation come from? This is your income, so how did you donate this amount?” Garcia said. /mr
