Contractors who donated to Eleksyon 2022 candidates now 52 —Comelec

The Commission on Elections on Wednesday said the total number of contractors who donated to candidates in the 2022 polls increased to 52.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said nine more contractors were found to be candidates’ donors after the poll body expanded its investigation covering gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidates. 

“Ito po ay naging 52 na sapagkat may nadagdag na siyam,” Garcia told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(The total number became 52 because nine have been added.)

“In-expand po natin 'yung pagtingin ng mga [Statement of Contributions and Expenditures], imbestigasyon, hanggang sa posisyon ng governor at vice governor,” he added.

(We have expanded the review of Statements of Contributions and Expenditures, investigations, up to the positions of governor and vice governor.)

According to Garcia, these contractors donated to some candidates for senator, party-lists, governors, and vice governors in the 2022 elections.

Contractors in government projects are prohibited from contributing funds to candidates under the Omnibus Election Code.

Under Article XI Section 95 covering electoral contributions and expenditures, the Omnibus Election Code states:

"SECTION 95. Prohibited contributions. – No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following:

(c) Natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works”

Garcia said the Comelec will write to the 52 contractors to seek their explanation.

The Comelec official noted that there is a possibility that some of these construction firms had no government contracts and only worked for private clients.

If proven guilty, contractors will face one to six years of imprisonment. For the candidates, aside from the same jail time, they will face perpetual disqualification to hold public office. 

For the candidates who are currently holding a position, Garcia said there is a different process for their possible removal from office but this is already outside the jurisdiction of the Comelec. —AOL, GMA Integrated News