COMELEC CLEARS ESCUDERO IN POLL DONATION CASE

THE Commission on Elections has cleared Sen. Francis “Chiz Escudero” of any  violation of the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the P30-million contributions the lawmaker received during the May 2022 polls. 

The Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) of the Comelec also cleared the campaign donor, construction magnate Lawrence Lubiano,

“In view of the foregoing, this Office recommends termination of this investigation as there being no evidence to support a complaint that Section 95(c) of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code) was violated by respondents Lubiano and Escudero,” the decision promulgated Nov. 26 read. 

“There being no violation of Section 95 (c) of the OEC committed by respondent Lubiano, it necessarily follows that the subsequent acceptance of contribution by respondent Escudero for his election campaign suffers no legal impediment,” the PFAD added. 

In a nine-page resolution, the Comelec PFAD said the investigation showed the  contribution by the private contractor was made in his personal capacity. 

According to the decision, when Lubiano contributed to the campaign of Escudero, he merely exercised a right that is personal to him.

The Comelec office said there is no evidence establishing that the funds used in the contribution originated from Centerways Construction and Development Inc.  headed by Lubiano as president, or that its corporate money crept into the campaign funds of  Escudero.

The poll body ruled that, without clear evidence of fraud or bad faith, it cannot “pierce the corporate veil” simply because the individual concerned leads a company. 

“Indeed, this Office concurs that Mr. Lubiano is not Centerways, and Centerways is not Mr. Lubiano,” the Comelec resolution read. 

In  August, Escudero confirmed that Lubiano contributed to his campaign during the May 2022 senatorial race.

Escudero added that the said contribution was listed in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). 

Meanwhile, Escudero said the Comelec’s decision confirms that transparency, honesty and adherence to the rules matter, and that the truth prevails when the process is fair.

“Since we first run for public office in 1998, we have worked to consistently comply with our election laws because this is the foundation of public trust,” Escudero said.

“The Comelec’s ruling strengthens my faith in our institutions and reinforces my commitment to continue serving with integrity and accountability,” he added.