Chairman of Comelec Speaks on Probe over Candidates Who Might Have Received Campaign Donations from Contractors
COMELEC – The Commission on Elections investigate three (3) senators over alleged donations from contractors of flood control deals of the government
During his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) that was held last July 28, Pres. Bongbong Marcos admitted that there are failed flood control projects in the country and they resulted to flooding. His remarks was followed by a probe on these government deals.
In a press conference, Marcos Jr. previously revealed that the expenses of the Philippines for the flood control projects since July 2022 have reached over P500 billion. He stressed that it is an “enormous” amount.
Furthermore, Marcos Jr. also revealed that 20% of the multi-billion spending of the government for the flood control deals went to the same 15 contractors. The Chief Executive identified them.
Here are the 15 contractors that got 20% of the P545-billion flood control projects of the government:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
According to Pres. Bongbong Marcos, five (5) contractors have been awarded with government-funded flood control deals in almost all regions in the country. He assured that the administration investigates the following firms:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Following the revelations of Marcos Jr., Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero admitted that he received a P30 million campaign donation from a flood control project contractor. According to him, the owner of Centerways Construction is a long-time friend of his who is also from Sorsogon.
However, according to Comelec, government contractors are not allowed to donate funds to the candidates amid the issue that linked Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero. George Garcia, the chairperson of the poll body, stressed that it is against the rules.
Recently, Comelec chairman George Garcia confirmed that they are investigating three (3) senators and a local bet in Bulacan for allegedly receiving campaign donations from flood control project contractors during the 2022 Elections. Based on a report on PhilStar, the poll body’s chairperson did not specify their names.
According to Garcia, the result of the Comelec investigation on the three (3) senators and one local bet in Bulacan will be out in two to three weeks. He stressed that the focus should not be on one personality alone.
“We should not only focus on the personality who came out last week, but also on other personalities,” the Comelec Chairman said.
Previously, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero linked the “flood control project contractor” issue against him to the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.