The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at nine contractors that have supposedly contributed to the campaign funds of candidates who ran in May 2025.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, the possible illegal contributions are being probed by the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) after looking at the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) of those who ran in the last elections.
However, he did not reveal if these national candidates won or lost in the May 12 polls.
“For 2025, we don’t have a confirmed candidate yet, whether winner or loser. However, I confirm that there are nine contractors, who have provided assistance to politicians,” he said in an interview on Thursday at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.
“What we are looking at now so far are senators and party-lists. There is no mention yet if it has reached the level of district congressmen,” the Comelec chief added.
Garcia also noted that they expect the investigation to be completed within the month.
“I think they (PFAD) will be finished in two weeks’ time because we need to focus on them as well since it’s also of high public interest,” he said.
The Comelec previously identified 55 potentially prohibited contributors in the 2022 polls.
Meanwhile, Garcia said they expect the PFAD to issue its recommendation to the Comelec Law Department within two weeks, regarding the case of contractor Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., who contributed PHP30 million to Sen. Francis Escudero’s senatorial campaign in the 2022 elections.
“Hopefully, they (PFAD) will be able to release their recommendation in one to two weeks,” he said.
After PFAD submits its recommendation, Garcia added that the Law Department shall conduct a preliminary investigation before submitting its own findings to the Commission en banc, which will issue a decision if criminal charges should be filed before the Regional Trial Court.
