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Escudero Faces Comelec Over P30-M Donation - 'The Law Is On Our Side'
Photo credit: Chiz Escudero
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has officially answered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the P30-million campaign donation he received from a construction firm executive during the 2022 elections.
On Monday, Escudero’s camp filed its reply to a show cause order asking him to explain the hefty donation from Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. The Comelec wants to determine if the contribution broke campaign finance rules, which ban donations from people or companies with government contracts.
Escudero’s lawyer, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, said the senator’s team submitted their response early to show full cooperation with the poll body.
“We’re filing our submission early to respect the Comelec process. Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we’re confident the Comelec will find no fault,” Esguerra said.
He emphasized that the P30-million contribution was properly listed in Escudero’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and complied with election rules.
Escudero earlier said he welcomes the Comelec’s review, calling it part of ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign financing.
The Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) is now reviewing the senator’s reply, along with other submissions.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body is letting PFAD take the lead in the investigation.
“They’re in charge of data gathering and fact-finding. It’s up to them whether to charge the contractor and the candidate,” Garcia explained.
“We won’t interfere in that process. We’ll see if the senator’s defense stands under the law.”
Garcia confirmed that Escudero’s affidavit echoed what he’s said publicly — that he accepted the donation as a personal gift from a friend, not as a transaction tied to any government contract.
Still, Comelec will closely review if that explanation holds up under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits political donations from anyone or any firm holding contracts with the government.
Garcia added that Lubiano would also be invited to give his side on the issue.
On Monday, Escudero’s camp filed its reply to a show cause order asking him to explain the hefty donation from Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. The Comelec wants to determine if the contribution broke campaign finance rules, which ban donations from people or companies with government contracts.
Escudero’s lawyer, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, said the senator’s team submitted their response early to show full cooperation with the poll body.
“We’re filing our submission early to respect the Comelec process. Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we’re confident the Comelec will find no fault,” Esguerra said.
He emphasized that the P30-million contribution was properly listed in Escudero’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and complied with election rules.
Escudero earlier said he welcomes the Comelec’s review, calling it part of ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign financing.
The Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) is now reviewing the senator’s reply, along with other submissions.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body is letting PFAD take the lead in the investigation.
“They’re in charge of data gathering and fact-finding. It’s up to them whether to charge the contractor and the candidate,” Garcia explained.
“We won’t interfere in that process. We’ll see if the senator’s defense stands under the law.”
Garcia confirmed that Escudero’s affidavit echoed what he’s said publicly — that he accepted the donation as a personal gift from a friend, not as a transaction tied to any government contract.
Still, Comelec will closely review if that explanation holds up under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits political donations from anyone or any firm holding contracts with the government.
Garcia added that Lubiano would also be invited to give his side on the issue.
Oct 15, 2025
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