Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday, August 12, dismissed allegations linking him to flood control projects awarded to his top campaign donor, calling the report a “malicious” and “ill-timed” smear attempt aimed at removing him ahead of a possible impeachment in February 2026.
In a press briefing, Escudero responded to a news article identifying one contractor in President Marcos’ flood control spending report as his largest contributor during the 2022 elections.
“For the record, wala akong kinalaman sa pag-identify, paggawa ng program of work, pag-bid, pag-award, pagbayad, pag-inspeksyon ng anumang proyekto sa pamahalaan, sa Sorsogon man o sa labas ng lalawigan,” Escudero said.
The senator admitted knowing the contractor, a fellow Sorsogon native, but stressed that the P5.16 billion in projects tied to the firm represented “less than one percent” of the total funds flagged by the President.
President Marcos earlier revealed that 20% of the P545-billion flood control projects went to just 15 contractors, five of which bagged deals nationwide. The firm linked to Escudero ranked seventh.
“Bakit pinagtuunan ang pansin yan? One percent pa talaga, hindi 99%?” he asked, questioning why attention was centered on his supposed connection instead of on officials directly involved in contracting.
Escudero emphasized he has not engaged in any construction or supply business since joining public service in 1998. He also noted that most of the projects awarded to the contractor were secured before his Senate return in 2022.
While the article did not allege any illegal act, Escudero said the insinuations were designed to link him to the controversy as part of a broader campaign to oust him.
“Mayroong demolition, PR job na nakatuon laban sa akin… upang tiyakin na maalis ako sa puwesto at nang pag-file muli ang impeachment ay wala na ako dito pagdating February 6,” he warned.