Chiz lauds Comelec decision: It affirms my honesty

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed on Wednesday the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clearing him of any wrongdoing over a P30-million campaign contribution made by Lawrence Lubiano during his 2022 senatorial bid.

“Since we first ran for public office in 1998, we have worked to consistently comply with our election laws because this is the foundation of public trust,” Escudero said in a statement.

In a press conference, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay explained that the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) cleared Escudero of the complaint under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, ruling that Lubiano’s P30-million contribution was a personal donation and did not violate campaign finance regulations.

Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., is among the contractors earlier identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of the country’s top 15 government contractors.

“The Commission on Elections decision affirms what we have always believed and practiced—that transparency, honesty, and adherence to the rules matter, and that the truth prevails when the process is fair,” Escudero underscored.

He added that the ruling strengthened his faith in the country’s institutions and reinforced his commitment “to continue serving with integrity and accountability.”

Following the decision, the Comelec recommended the termination of the probe involving Escudero and Lubiano.

The ruling further stated that, in the absence of clear evidence of fraud or bad faith, the poll body cannot “pierce the corporate veil” solely because an individual heads a company.

“Indeed, this Office concurs that Mr. Lubiano is not Centerways, and Centerways is not Mr. Lubiano,” the Comelec resolution read.