The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has directed Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to explain the P30 million campaign contribution he received from a government contractor during his 2022 senatorial bid.
Comelec Chair George Garcia confirmed in a Dobol B TV interview on Saturday that a show cause order (SCO) had already been issued. “Yes, ito ay naipadala na kahapon,” Garcia said, adding that Escudero’s hearing has been scheduled for October 13, 2025.
Escudero, for his part, welcomed the poll body’s move, saying, “We welcome the opportunity to prove that—like the others who are similarly situated in the PCIJ report on the 2022 elections—no law has been violated.”
The order came after Centerways Construction and Development Inc. president Lawrence Lubiano, through his legal counsel, met with Comelec last week. Lubiano previously admitted during a House hearing that he personally donated P30 million to Escudero’s campaign.
Earlier, Comelec also issued a separate show cause order against Lubiano, asking him to justify the donation and explain why he should not be charged with violating Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code. The provision prohibits individuals or companies with government contracts from contributing to any political campaign.
Garcia emphasized that the Comelec will closely examine Escudero’s and Lubiano’s defenses under the law. “Kinakailangan ibangga natin ‘yung mga depensa na ganyan versus ‘yung probisyon ng Omnibus Election Code,” he said.
Centerways Construction is among the 15 contractors earlier identified by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as having been awarded about 20 percent of the government’s flood control projects.
Garcia also clarified that Escudero is not being singled out, noting that the Comelec is conducting similar investigations involving Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte following allegations of illegal campaign donations from public works contractors.
According to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, both Marcos and Duterte received tens of millions of pesos in campaign contributions from contractors doing business with the government. The Palace has said that President Marcos is open to any investigation regarding the matter.
