Escudero calls Rappler report malicious, denies influence
Patrick Cruz, a public finance reporter for Rappler, published an article that Senate President Chiz Escudero called 'malicious,' 'full of innuendos,' and 'ill-timed.'
The report examined Escudero's ties to Centerways Construction and Development Inc., which contributed P30 million to his 2022 campaign and secured P5.16 billion in flood control projects, mostly in Sorsogon.
On August 11, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named the top 15 flood control contractors, including Centerways at number seven; Rappler quickly investigated connections between these firms and politicians.
Escudero held a press conference on March 12 to refute allegations, calling the report 'despalinghado' while acknowledging his friendship with Lubiano but denying any influence over government contracts.
Cruz emphasized that investigative journalism requires significant effort and access to public documents; he challenged President Marcos to support transparency by making information like SALNs easily accessible to all citizens.
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