The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has confirmed that a total of 14 national candidates in the May 2025 elections allegedly received donations from 26 contractors during the campaign period.
In a media interview, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia explained the possibility that one candidate may have received donations from three to five contractors, as the relationship is not on a “one-to-one” basis.
“Hindi one is to one, mayroon isa diyan kandidato na maari nagbigay sa kanya tatlo o lima na contractors,” said Garcia.
Garcia also warned that candidates and contractors found guilty will face election offense charges under Section 95(C) of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits any company or individual with a government contract from donating to candidates or political parties.
“Bawat isang kontratista ay isang count. Therefore, [kung lima ang nagbigay], limang count ng violation ‘yun dahil hindi pwede pagsamahin. Sa bawat pagtanggap ay paglabag sa Omnibus Election Code,” he added.
As of now, COMELEC is still awaiting confirmation from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on whether the list of contractors it submitted indeed had government contracts during the election period.
Garcia assured that show-cause orders against the concerned contractors and candidates will be issued immediately once the DPWH verifies the list.
The COMELEC is also set to release the official list of contractors who donated to candidates in the previous elections.
In addition, the poll body expressed its readiness to provide the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) with relevant information gathered from its own investigation, which may assist in the ICI’s ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. (Reports from Patricia Lopez)
