The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has confirmed that 31 contractors may have illegally contributed to the campaigns of candidates for national posts during the 2022 elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia told lawmakers on Monday that the companies were listed in candidates’ statements of contributions and expenditures submitted to the poll body. These entries are now being verified.
Under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, contractors or subcontractors doing business with the government are strictly barred from donating to “partisan political activity,” including election campaigns.
Garcia stressed that the poll body is focusing on contributions made in the 2022 polls, noting that election offenses carry a five-year prescriptive period. He also revealed that aside from the 15 contractors earlier identified by President Marcos as having secured most flood control projects since 2022, the Comelec has found even more firms that may have funneled funds into campaigns.
The chairman added that at least three to four senators are being scrutinized for having received donations from contractors.
Lacson presses for education to top 2026 budget
Meanwhile at the Senate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned that education must not be sidelined again in next year’s budget deliberations. “You need to remind legislators not to realign too much because we may be violating the Constitution. When you potentially violate the Constitution, that’s a major, major, major issue,” he cautioned in Filipino.
The senator pointed out that for 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received a larger allocation than the education sector, despite the constitutional mandate that education be given the highest budgetary priority. He urged Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to ensure consistency in budget monitoring and called on Malacañang to exercise its veto power if Congress repeats such realignments.
Lacson said the education sector should cover only DepEd, state universities and colleges, CHED, and TESDA, as cited in the President’s budget message.
Fiscal reforms and flood control funding under scrutiny
Finance officials assured senators that the government is on track to narrow the fiscal deficit to 3.1 percent by 2030, citing improved revenue collections and spending discipline. Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano noted the deficit already fell from 8.6 percent in 2021 to 5.5 percent in 2025, and will further decline in the coming years.
However, Sen. Bam Aquino raised concerns over the proposed ₱270-billion flood control budget for 2026, warning he may seek its removal if misuse and corruption issues persist. He said newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon must present a science-based plan, arguing that billions of pesos should not be wasted on projects that fail to address real flooding problems.
Aquino also urged stronger support for classrooms, internet connectivity in schools, and healthcare programs, underscoring the need to shift resources toward education and health.
