Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Garcia

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Commission on Elections on Friday said four contractors were found to have contributed to the election campaign of some senators in the 2022 polls.  Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the contractors are being investigated to determine whether they have contracts with the government. “Initially, may nakitang tatlo o apat na contractors na maaaring contractors ng public works o serbisyo sa pamahalaan na nagbigay ng tulong sa mga tumatakbo sa national position. Yes, for senator po ‘yan, pero subject pa po sa verification kung talaga sila ay may kontrata sa pamahalaan,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.  “Syempre hindi pa po kaagad mag-conclude ang Comelec doon. Kinakailangan ikumpirma namin marapat at kung sila man ay public works contractor halimbawa o service contractor,” he added. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/lacson-details-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1924">Lacson details corruption in flood control projects</a></div> Garcia cited the Omnibus Election Code’s section 95, letter C which prohibits “natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works,” which he said constitutes an election offense where involved company officials may face imprisonment of 1 – 2 years. “Kalimitan po ng mga contractor, negosyante na nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nasa pamahalaan ay ang nilalagay lang nila ay ‘businessman’. So pagka businessman napakadali pong sabihin na businessman, hindi niyo naman po alam kung ano yung negosyo,” he explained.  The review is part of the motu proprio investigation launched by the poll body following controversies involving government contractors in failed flood control projects and some lawmakers who have received campaign donations from contractors. Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department has been reviewing almost 42,000 Statement of Contributions and Expenditures submitted in 2025 both by national and local bets. However, Garcia noted that they will still have to determine the liability of public officials who will be found to have received campaign donations or contributions from government contractors. “Kung mismong &#x27;yung binigyan na tumatakbo ay liable, hindi pa po namin &#x27;yan nadi-discuss, wala pa po kami sa puntong ‘yan. Kinakailangang alamin lang muna natin gaano kadami yung nangongontrata sa pamahalaan na nagbigay sa kampanya ng mga kumakandidato, national man at local,” he stated. (audio recording only)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/19/senate-to-kick-off-probe-into-flood-control-projects-0951">Senate kicks off probe into flood control projects; Discaya, other contractors no show</a></div> Earlier, Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/escudero-denies-hand-in-flood-control-projects-secured-by-campaign-donor-1516)">denied any involvement </a>with or help extended to a construction firm that won several flood-control projects and whose president was his campaign donor in the 2022 elections. Centerways Construction and Development Inc. was among the construction companies flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who noted that only 15 contractors bagged 20 percent of nearly 10,000 flood control projects since 2022. Escudero confirmed that Centerways donated P30 million to his campaign for the Senate and that it was reflected in his campaign finance disclosure. But he pointed out there was no allegation of wrongdoing against the contractor-campaign donor, calling the article &quot;malicious&quot; and &quot;ill-timed.&quot;

Garcia cited the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits “natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works.”

Garcia cited the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits “natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works.”

Comelec: Four contractors who donated to senators' campaign under probe

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Comelec: Four contractors who donated to senators' campaign under probe

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 22, 2025 05:07 PM PHT

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Updated August 22, 2025 05:49 PM PHT

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COMELEC

George Erwin Garcia

senators

SOCE

Chiz Escudero

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