August 15, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Fee on Elections (Comelec) will examine stories that some elected officers obtained marketing campaign donations from authorities contractors, regardless of present prohibitions.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated the ballot physique’s Political Finance and Affairs Division (PFAD) is predicted to conduct a motu proprio investigation, amid stories that a variety of politicians had benefited from marketing campaign contributions from contractors for flood management and different infrastructure initiatives, lots of which turned out to be of substandard high quality.
“Virtually positive, will probably be finished by our PFAD,” Garcia stated, referring to an investigation.
He stated it doesn’t matter if the irregular contributions have been made in 2022 or in 2025 so long as they occurred inside a prescriptive interval, which is 5 years.
“We are able to nonetheless take motion as a result of it’s inside our jurisdiction,” Garcia stated.
Below Part 95 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), Garcia stated contractors for presidency initiatives are prohibited from contributing funds to candidates and political events.
Violators face imprisonment of 1 to 6 years, amongst different penalties supplied by legislation.
He declined to say whether or not some candidates may very well be held answerable for violating such provision within the OEC, as there’s a risk that circumstances can be filed earlier than the fee.
“For those who learn (the legislation), it could seem that it’s the contractors who’re lined. Now, what concerning the candidates who got donations? I received’t challenge but any pronouncement on the matter. For now, it’s a free for all interpretation of the supply,” Garcia stated.
On Senate President Francis Escudero’s admission that he obtained marketing campaign contributions over the past elections, Garcia stated the senator must be given the possibility to clarify his aspect.
The Comelec continues to be reviewing state contributions and expenditure paperwork submitted by candidates within the Might nationwide and native elections.
In the meantime, a Duterte-allied senatorial candidate who misplaced within the final elections went to the Senate yesterday to ask the chamber to analyze alleged irregularities within the 2025 midterm elections.
Jimmy Bondoc, accompanied by lawyer Israelito Torreon, delivered a letter to Escudero requesting for an investigation.
They urged the Senate to analyze alleged ballot irregularities by means of its Blue Ribbon committee, headed by their ally Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
They have been alleging mishandling of election paraphernalia and on-line voting irregularities.
In addition they claimed with out presenting proof that over 17 million votes for senator have been excluded from the official depend.
They sought an investigation after solely three of their “Duter10” senatorial slate received within the senatorial race.
Their get together chief, former president Rodrigo Duterte is detained in The Hague awaiting trial for crimes in opposition to humanity for the deaths of hundreds in his bloody drug conflict.–Marc Jayson Cayabyab