The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing a resolution that will determine whether Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and contractor Lawrence Lubiano will face charges over a ₱30-million campaign donation linked to Escudero’s 2022 senatorial bid.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the only issue left is the legality of the donation since both Escudero and Lubiano have confirmed the transaction. Lubiano heads the Centerways Construction and Development Inc., a government contractor.
“The issue here is legal interpretation [of the law on campaign donation]. There’s no more factual evidence because it was already admitted by the receiver and the giver,” Garcia explained in a The Manila Times report.
Under Section 95 (c) of the Omnibus Election Code, government contractors are barred from donating to political candidates or parties.
Garcia revealed that six other senatorial candidates in the 2025 elections also received donations from contractors. Comelec records showed that 26 contractors contributed to various candidates in the 2022 midterm polls, though he withheld their names pending verification with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Escudero defended the donation, stressing that Lubiano has long been his friend and that the contribution complied with Comelec rules. He denied any connection to Lubiano’s government projects.
Garcia said violations of campaign donation laws carry imprisonment of one to six years for both the donor and the recipient, along with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. However, the Comelec can only pursue criminal charges in Escudero’s case, as it has no authority to remove a sitting senator.
Under the 1987 Constitution, only Congress may suspend or expel its members with a two-thirds vote.
