SC asked: Scrap Comelec dep't ruling on contractor's donation to Chiz campaign

A teacher on Friday filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to nullify a Commission on Elections (Comelec) department ruling that cleared Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero of wrongdoing in connection with the P30-million campaign contribution he received from a contractor.

The petition was filed by John Barry Tayam, who identified himself as a concerned citizen aside from being a teacher by profession. 

According to Tayam, he is asking the Supreme Court to review the recent ruling of the Comelec's Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD), which recommended the termination of the probe on Escudero and campaign donor Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.

In his petition, Tayam stated: "WHEREFORE, the petitioner respectfully prays that this Honorable Court annul and SET ASIDE the COMELEC's Resolution: FFI Case No. 2025-004 dated November 26, 2025, and DIRECT the Commission on Elections to initiate the appropriate proceedings for violation of Section 95 (c) of the Omnibus Election Code."

It may be recalled that, in a nine-page resolution, the PFAD recommended terminating the investigation on Escudero and Lubiano, deeming that the contractor and his company are distinct legal entities. Escudero and Lubiano were not found to be in violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Section 95 of the Code prohibits "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" from making political donations.

Tayam, however, argued that in his view, "Lubiano is Centerways and Centerways is Lubiano," noting that Lubiano allegedly owns 99 percent of the company.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Escudero for comment on Tayam's petition, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

In August, Escudero acknowledged that he and Lubiano are friends, confirming that the latter was among his campaign contributors in the 2022 senatorial elections.

The senator, however, denied intervening in Lubiano's business dealings or government contracts.

Tayam stressed that the issue is significant because it involves a sitting senator and a company owner with contracts for flood control projects, adding that the case could further promote accountability and transparency.

Last October, Escudero submitted a manifestation to the COMELEC explaining his position on the P30-million contribution, saying it was "legal, fully declared, and consistent with long-standing practice."

In his capacity as a concerned citizen, Tayam has also asked the Supreme Court to rule on several key political issues.

Last October, he filed a petition before the high tribunal questioning the legality of Executive Order 94 which established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

The following month, Tayam asked the SC to reconsider its dismissal of his petition to prohibit Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa from seeking safe haven in the Senate should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue an arrest warrant against the latter. — VDV, GMA Integrated News