Escudero legal counsel denies illegal campaign donation

Senator Chiz Escudero's legal counsel submitted a response to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding a P30 million campaign donation.

The donation was reportedly from Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., a government contractor.

Escudero's lawyer, Ramon Esguerra, stated the donation was legal, fully declared, followed long-standing practice, and came from Lubiano's personal funds.

The Comelec had issued a show-cause order to Escudero to clarify the origin of the campaign contribution due to a provision in the Omnibus Election Code prohibiting donations from government contractors.

An ethics complaint was also filed against Escudero at the Senate by lawyer Eldrige Marvin Aceron, alleging that Lubiano's company secured numerous contracts in Escudero's home province as a result of the donation.

Escudero previously served as Sorsogon governor from 2019 to 2022.