Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero maintained that the ₱30-million campaign donation he received from a construction firm during the 2022 national elections was legal and properly declared.

In his counter-affidavit filed before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through his legal counsel, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, Escudero asserted that he did not violate any law in accepting the contribution from Lawrence Lubiano, the President of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.

Esguerra explained that the donation was duly reported in the senator’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), in accordance with election laws and established procedures.

The senator’s statement came in response to a show-cause order issued by the COMELEC, which is investigating potential violations of Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, prohibiting candidates from accepting donations from entities with government contracts.

Centerways Construction is among the 15 companies flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for allegedly being involved in questionable flood control projects currently under scrutiny by authorities.