The Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA), through its convenor Prof. David San Juan, has called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to respond to reports alleging that they received campaign donations from public works contractors during the elections.
In a press briefing, San Juan questioned why only former Senate President Chiz Escudero had explained the ₱30-million donation reflected in his campaign fund before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), while the president and vice president have yet to issue any statement on the matter.
“Sen. Chiz Escudero has already explained his campaign donations from contractors, but there are two people who have yet to explain: our president, BBM, and Vice President Sara Duterte – both of them received campaign donations from contractors, according to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ),” said San Juan.
“Mr. President BBM, and Madam Vice President Sara Duterte, should also explain. Is the PCIJ report true that you received campaign donations from contractors? And if it is true, is that appropriate?” he added.
San Juan emphasized that if the donations were indeed made and proven to be illegal, both Marcos and Duterte should be held accountable under election laws.
In mid-September 2025, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) released a report claiming that both the president and vice president received tens of millions of pesos in campaign contributions from public works contractors.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, candidates are prohibited from accepting contributions — directly or indirectly — from individuals or companies doing business with the government.
According to the PCIJ, Radulfo Hilot Jr., owner of Rudhil Construction and Enterprises Inc. based in Zamboanga, donated ₱20 million to Marcos’ 2022 campaign. Another contractor, Jonathan Quirante of Quirante Construction Corporation in Cebu, reportedly contributed ₱1 million.
Both contractors allegedly saw a steep rise in government contracts afterward — with Quirante Construction securing ₱3 billion worth of projects in 2023, and Rudhil Construction landing ₱3.5 billion in 2024.
Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte was reported to have benefited from Glenn Escandor, owner of Genesis 88, whose companies obtained multiple public works contracts during the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The PCIJ report stated that Escandor, through his realty firm, paid ₱19.9 million worth of campaign advertisements for Duterte in 2022.
In response, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in late September that President Marcos is “willing to be investigated” and has expressed readiness to cooperate with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).