Comelec issues show cause order vs Chiz Escudero over P30M campaign donation
The Commission on Elections has issued a show cause order to Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero to explain the P30 million campaign donation he received from contractor Lawrence Lubiano during the 2022 elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed that the SCO was issued on Friday, Oct. 3.
"Ito po ay naipadala na kahapon at ine-expect natin sa pag-dinig na gagawin either siya [Escudero] ang pumunta o ipadala ng kaniyang abogado katulad ng ginawa ni Mr. Lubiano," Garcia told DZBB Super Radyo on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The hearing is set on Oct. 13.
On the same day, Escudero welcomed the move, emphasizing that he did not violate any law.
“We welcome the opportunity to prove that—like the others who are similarly situated in the PCIJ report on the 2022 elections—no law has been violated," he said in a statement.
The poll body on Sept. 11 issued an SCO to Lubiano, whose company is among the top government contractors, to explain his donation and why he shouldn't be charged for violating Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The section prohibits campaign contributions from "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."
During a House hearing, Lubiano claimed that his donation came from his own pocket and not from his company. However, Garcia pointed out that it doesn't matter where the funds came from since the OEB prohibits people with government contracts from making donations.
Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo accused Escudero and other former senators of being involved in the flood control projects kickback scheme. The senator has since denied the allegations.
