A recent resolution from the Commission on Elections’ Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) has closed the investigation into Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and contractor Lawrence Lubiano after finding no basis to pursue allegations related to a P30-million campaign contribution.
The review centered on whether Lubiano’s donation to Escudero during the 2022 senatorial race violated Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which bars individuals or companies with government supply or construction contracts from contributing to political campaigns. Lubiano leads Centerways Construction and Development Inc., prompting scrutiny over whether the company was effectively behind the contribution.
In its nine-page ruling, the PFAD underscored that Lubiano and Centerways are separate legal personalities and that no evidence was presented showing the firm funded the donation. “In view of the foregoing, this Office recommends termination of this investigation as there being no evidence to support a complaint that Section 95(c) of the OEC was violated by respondents Lubiano and Escudero,” it said.
Lubiano had previously acknowledged giving P30 million to Escudero, stressing that the funds came from his personal finances. Investigators said nothing in the case record disproved that claim or suggested Centerways acted through him.
According to the PFAD, “The mere fact that respondent Lubiano serves as Centerways’ president does not justify disregarding their separate juridical personality in the absence of clear evidence of fraud, bad faith, or any act aimed at evading legal obligations.”
The Comelec unit further noted that there was “no evidence that the contribution originated from Centerways,” adding that “mere allegation, unaccompanied by any proof, is insufficient to disregard the separate legal personality of either respondent Lubiano or Centerways.”
With the complaint unsupported by evidence, the PFAD said Lubiano committed no violation of Section 95. It added that Escudero’s acceptance of the donation “suffers no legal impediment.”
