NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Ethics Complaint Hits Senator Escudero Over P30M Donation, Questionable Contract Surge
FILE
An ethics complaint was formally filed today against Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The complaint focuses on a P30 million donation he received from Lawrence Lubiano, the majority owner of construction firm Centerways Construction and Development, Inc., and the substantial increase in government contracts subsequently awarded to Lubiano's companies.
The core of the complaint details significant financial irregularities that coincide with the donation period. A sum of P35 million reportedly disappeared from Centerways Construction’s books around the time the P30 million donation was made. Furthermore, the company's financial records for the same fiscal year were allegedly reported in three different ways across its Securities and Trade Commission (SEC) filings, with no explanation for the variances.
These irregularities are highlighted alongside a dramatic increase in government contracts secured by Centerways Construction, in which Lubiano owns a dominant 99.331% stake. Before the donation in 2021, the company was awarded 12 contracts valued at approximately P720 million. After the donation, between 2022 and 2025, the firm secured 90 contracts totaling P15.9 billion, with the bulk of these projects heavily concentrated in Sorsogon, the Senator's home province. In total, the firm won 112 government contracts valued at approximately P16.67 billion.
The complaint also notes that Lubiano owns 91% of Metroways Health Care, Inc., which secured several COVID-era medical contracts in the Bicol region. The filing suggests a systemic problem, claiming that public finance, corporate finance, and election finance are all broken.
Senator Escudero swiftly and vehemently dismissed the complaint, characterizing it as a deliberate act of political retribution and harassment.
"I am no longer surprised by this. This is the payment for me mentioning [House Speaker] Martin Romualdez's name and exposing the truth," Senator Escudero stated.
He further asserted that the complaint "is just part of the harassment from his minions," adding, "This isn't about ethics. This is political retribution." The Senator vowed to expose the complaint as a "politically motivated sham" and a "desperate smokescreen" that is "still part of their script."
The complaint has been filed and will now be reviewed by the Senate Ethics Committee to determine its merits.
The core of the complaint details significant financial irregularities that coincide with the donation period. A sum of P35 million reportedly disappeared from Centerways Construction’s books around the time the P30 million donation was made. Furthermore, the company's financial records for the same fiscal year were allegedly reported in three different ways across its Securities and Trade Commission (SEC) filings, with no explanation for the variances.
These irregularities are highlighted alongside a dramatic increase in government contracts secured by Centerways Construction, in which Lubiano owns a dominant 99.331% stake. Before the donation in 2021, the company was awarded 12 contracts valued at approximately P720 million. After the donation, between 2022 and 2025, the firm secured 90 contracts totaling P15.9 billion, with the bulk of these projects heavily concentrated in Sorsogon, the Senator's home province. In total, the firm won 112 government contracts valued at approximately P16.67 billion.
The complaint also notes that Lubiano owns 91% of Metroways Health Care, Inc., which secured several COVID-era medical contracts in the Bicol region. The filing suggests a systemic problem, claiming that public finance, corporate finance, and election finance are all broken.
Senator Escudero swiftly and vehemently dismissed the complaint, characterizing it as a deliberate act of political retribution and harassment.
"I am no longer surprised by this. This is the payment for me mentioning [House Speaker] Martin Romualdez's name and exposing the truth," Senator Escudero stated.
He further asserted that the complaint "is just part of the harassment from his minions," adding, "This isn't about ethics. This is political retribution." The Senator vowed to expose the complaint as a "politically motivated sham" and a "desperate smokescreen" that is "still part of their script."
The complaint has been filed and will now be reviewed by the Senate Ethics Committee to determine its merits.
Oct 2, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
