Comelec issues SCO to gov't contractors that donated to 2022 bets

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued show-cause orders (SCO) against 27 government contractors that donated to the campaign of some of the candidates in the 2022 elections. 

On Wednesday, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body released the SCOs on November 3, 2025 asking them to explain why they should not be charged of an election offense for supposedly violating Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

"Napadalan na sila ng mga show-cause orders. I think in the next two weeks lahat sila papatawag," said Garcia.

(We issued SCOs against them and they will be summoned in the next two weeks.)

The contractors were given ten days after receipt to file their responses.

"May kanya kanyang schedule. Magsisimula yan by next week upang dalhin mga counter-affidavits, sagutin mga possible issues, allegations sa kanila," he said.

(They will have their own schedules starting next week and will be asked to submit their counter-affidavits and respond to issues and allegations.)

At least 22 candidates supposedly benefitted from the alleged illicit campaign donations, of whom six ran for senators, five for party-list representatives, four for district representatives, three for governors, two for vice governors, and one for councilor.

The poll body will likewise issue an SCOs against the candidates, Garcia said.

"Yung 26 naman na walang contract sa DPWH, maaring sa point na yun ligtas na sila. Pero maaring may ibang aspeto na involved sila, example sa franchise o iba pang pinagbabawal na donation. Tinitingnan natin yan," he added

(The other 26 may be without DPWH contract may be safe from that aspect, but we will still look into other possible violations.)

Last week, the Comelec said 27 out of the 54 contractors who are under their investigation for alleged illegal donations have existing contracts with the government. This was disclosed in a certification issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). —VAL, GMA Integrated News