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Advocates Philippines
Escudero Hit With P352-M Corruption Complaint
FILE
MANILA — Senator Francis Escudero is facing multiple complaints filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing him and other provincial officials of misusing ₱352.7 million in public funds during his time as Sorsogon governor.
The complaint, filed on November 14, 2025, by Atty. Eldrige Marvin Aceron, is based on findings from the 2021 Commission on Audit (COA) report.
According to the COA report, the alleged irregularities include:
• ₱125.7 million in overlapping infrastructure contracts awarded to the same contractors.
• ₱15.5 million in national government funds, including ₱10 million for typhoon relief, left unspent for years.
• ₱8.44 million in janitorial and laundry service contracts allegedly backed by falsified documents.
• ₱1.66 million in TUPAD emergency livelihood funds with missing authorizations.
• ₱5.65 million in development projects charged to the 20% development fund but not part of the approved procurement plan.
• ₱195.7 million in unreliable property, plant, and equipment accounts, including ghost or demolished assets still listed in official records.
The complaint includes charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, technical malversation, fraud against the public treasury, and falsification of public documents.
Aceron stressed that these alleged irregularities deprived Sorsogon communities of critical public funds and called on the Ombudsman to consider preventive measures, such as freezing bank accounts and restricting travel of the respondents.
Escudero’s Response
Senator Escudero has released a statement through his counsel, Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra:
“Bernardo's claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and refuted before. There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law. We believe that these allegations are merely designed to besmirch and destroy Senator Chiz's reputation, as well as that of the Senate. We are confident that the facts and evidence will vindicate Senator Chiz, show that these allegations against him are malicious and baseless, and prove that he is innocent.”
Next Steps
The Ombudsman will review the complaint and determine whether to conduct a full investigation, including possible subpoenas and preventive orders. The charges remain allegations until formally investigated and proven.
The complaint, filed on November 14, 2025, by Atty. Eldrige Marvin Aceron, is based on findings from the 2021 Commission on Audit (COA) report.
According to the COA report, the alleged irregularities include:
• ₱125.7 million in overlapping infrastructure contracts awarded to the same contractors.
• ₱15.5 million in national government funds, including ₱10 million for typhoon relief, left unspent for years.
• ₱8.44 million in janitorial and laundry service contracts allegedly backed by falsified documents.
• ₱1.66 million in TUPAD emergency livelihood funds with missing authorizations.
• ₱5.65 million in development projects charged to the 20% development fund but not part of the approved procurement plan.
• ₱195.7 million in unreliable property, plant, and equipment accounts, including ghost or demolished assets still listed in official records.
The complaint includes charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, technical malversation, fraud against the public treasury, and falsification of public documents.
Aceron stressed that these alleged irregularities deprived Sorsogon communities of critical public funds and called on the Ombudsman to consider preventive measures, such as freezing bank accounts and restricting travel of the respondents.
Escudero’s Response
Senator Escudero has released a statement through his counsel, Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra:
“Bernardo's claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and refuted before. There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law. We believe that these allegations are merely designed to besmirch and destroy Senator Chiz's reputation, as well as that of the Senate. We are confident that the facts and evidence will vindicate Senator Chiz, show that these allegations against him are malicious and baseless, and prove that he is innocent.”
Next Steps
The Ombudsman will review the complaint and determine whether to conduct a full investigation, including possible subpoenas and preventive orders. The charges remain allegations until formally investigated and proven.
Nov 14, 2025
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