Escudero files manifestation on Comelec SCO —legal counsel

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero filed Tuesday a manifestation explaining his side to the Commission on Elections on the P30-million campaign contribution he received from a contractor for his 2022 senatorial bid.

Escudero was represented by his legal representatives, according to a tweet of GMA Integrated News’ Sandra Aguinaldo. They also appeared for a meeting with the Commission on Elections’ Political Finance and Affairs Department (Comelec-PFAD).

Sen. Chiz Escudero, represented by his lawyers, has filed a manifestation before the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) explaining his side on the campaign contribution he received from Lawrence Lubiano. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/GfrbcHh4Cw

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) October 14, 2025

“We're filing our submission early to respect the Comelec process,” Ramon Esguerra, legal counsel for Escudero, said in a message to reporters.

“Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we are confident the Comelec will find no fault,” Esguerra added. 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed receipt of the submission.

“Nag-file na kanina nang maaga ‘yung abogado niya. May dalang affidavit. Therefore, para sa amin, kumpleto na ang lahat ng ingredients para magkaroon ng disposition ang office na yun, ang PFAD,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(His legal counsel submitted the affidavit answer earlier. Therefore, for us, all of the ingredients for the PFAD to have a disposition are now complete.)

“Kung ano sinasabi niya publicly din. Na talagang ito ay tinanggap niya sa paniniwala na personal capacity at private funds bilang kaibigan niya si Lubiano. Sa amin, titimbangin natin yan. Aalamin kung sapat bang depensa o violation ng batas,” he said. 

(His explanation was similar to his public statement that the campaign donation was made by Lubiano in his personal capacity and private funds as they were friends. On our part, we will determine if that was an enough defense or if he committed a violation.)

Earlier, the poll body issued a show cause order (SCO) against Escudero, asking him to explain the P30 million in campaign donation he received from Centerways Construction and Development Inc. president Lawrence Lubiano. It also said it will summon the senator for a meeting regarding the issue on October 13. 

However, Garcia earlier said the office of the senator asked them for an extension, notifying the Comelec that it may not be able to submit its response on Monday. 

“Wala tayong problema dahil itong ating naset up na araw sana sa pagsagot o pagpunta nya kung mararapatin ay hindi mandatory na exactly dapat walang extension. Okay lang po yun total ito ay case buildup ang ginagawa natin,” said Garcia. 

(We have no problem with extending because the date we set for the hearing was not mandatory. It is okay because we are on the case buildup phase.)

“Asahan ng mga kababayan natin na matapos ng butihing senador ay sumagot na dito sa accusations sa kanya ay submitted na for decision ang kaso and therefore, yung opisina namin na in charged dyan, yung PFAD, ay kaagad na ppwede na magkaroon ng recommendation kung iddismiss ba o itutuloy ang kaso laban sa kanya at sa kanyang kontratista na nagbigay ng P30 million,” he said. 

(Our fellow Filipino can expect that after he submits his response, this will be submitted for decision and therefore the PFAD can file a recommendation whether to file or not to file a case against the respondents.)

In September, the poll body also issued an SCO against Lubiano asking him to explain his millions-worth of campaign donation to Escudero and defend why he should not be charged of an election offense for violating Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) after he admitted the donation during a House hearing.

However, he said the donation came from his own pocket.

Escudero had also said Lubiano was his campaign contributor in the 2022 elections but added that he had no involvement in any flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon and other parts of the country.

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.” —Sundy Locus/AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News