Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia confirmed on Tuesday, October 7, that the poll body is investigating 2022 presidential and vice-presidential candidates over campaign donations received from government contractors.
In an interview with ANC, Garcia said the investigation is part of COMELEC’s wider review of 55 contractors who contributed to political candidates during the May 2022 elections. The agency is still coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to verify whether these contractors held government contracts at the time of donations.
“Pinapaconfirm namin talaga ba may kontrata yan before the filing of the candidacy, during the filing or immediately after the filing kahit na nanalo na yung kandidato,” Garcia explained.
He added, “We would like to confirm kasi kinakailangan mapatunayan muna namin na public works contractor yan. Kasi kung private contractor naman pala, walang na tayong pag-uusapan.”
Under Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code, no contribution for partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by natural or juridical persons holding government contracts or subcontracts for goods, services, or construction.
A PCIJ report noted that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos received ₱20 million from Rudhil Construction & Enterprises Inc. and ₱1 million from Quirante Construction Corporation. Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, reportedly received donations from Genesis88 Construction Inc., while Esdevco Realty Corporation paid ₱19.9 million for advertisements.