Comelec chair inhibits from Escudero donation probe

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia will inhibit himself from the investigation into allegations that former Senate president Francis Escudero accepted prohibited campaign donations during the 2022 polls.

Garcia's inhibition is to prevent any doubts regarding the impartiality of the investigation, as he previously served as Escudero's lawyer.

The Comelec's Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) will formally request Escudero's explanation regarding a P30 million donation from a government contractor, Centerways Construction and Development Corporation.

This request follows the admission of the contractor's representative, Lawrence Lubiano, who stated he made the donation to Escudero's campaign.

Lubiano failed to appear at a scheduled hearing because he claimed he never received the summons, leading the Comelec PFAD to reset the hearing.

The poll body confirmed it will also issue Escudero a show cause order requiring him to explain the donation.

A Philstar.com analysis found that Escudero endorsed members of the Lubiano family in the 2023 local elections, and Centerways Construction has secured over P2.85 billion worth of flood-control projects in Sorsogon, Escudero's home province.