The Commission on Elections plans to issue show-cause orders against 27 government contractors allegedly donating to senatorial candidates in the 2022 elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated that the Department of Public Works and Highways certified these as contractors from a list of 54 submitted by the poll body. Candidates who received the donations will also be required to explain after the contractors respond.
In Manila, Philippines, Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced on October 30, 2025, that the agency will issue show-cause orders against 27 government contractors suspected of violating the Omnibus Election Code through campaign donations in the 2022 elections. From a list of 54 submitted by Comelec to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), only 27 were confirmed as active government contractors, while the others are not covered by the prohibition as they are not contractors.
Garcia has instructed the Political Finance and Affairs Department to release the orders. “After they respond, we will also require the candidates who received donations from the 27 contractors to explain,” he said in Filipino. Efforts are underway to identify the candidates who benefited from these contributions.
Garcia clarified that Lawrence Lubiano, who admitted to donating P30 million to Sen. Chiz Escudero’s campaign, was not included in the DPWH's certification because he is not a corporation. “He is not a corporation, which is why the DPWH did not include him in its certification,” he explained.
Additionally, another list of 31 contractors who donated during the May 2025 elections has been forwarded to the DPWH for verification. The Comelec aims to uphold electoral integrity under the Omnibus Election Code.