The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) finds no evidence to support a complaint against Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Centerways Construction and Development Inc. President Lawrence Lubiano over the latter's P30 million campaign donation.

In its resolution, the PFAD recommended terminating its investigation into Escudero and Lubiano. It stated that Lubiano and Centerways have distinct legal entities, adding that Lubiano, although serving as its president, retains a separate legal personality of his own.

"The mere fact that respondent Lubiano serves as Centerways president does not justify disregarding their separate juridical personality in the absence of clear evidence of fraud, bad faith, or any act aimed at evading legal obligations," the resolution read.

"The record is devoid of any such proof and as such, the claim that respondent Lubiano acted as an alter-ego of Centerways in order to circumvent Section 95 of the OEC lacks merit," it added.

According to the department, when Lubiano contributed to the campaign of Escudero, the former merely exercised a right that is personal to him. It added that there is no evidence estabilishing that funds used in the contribution originated from Centerways, or that its corporate money crept into the campaign funds of Escudero through the contribution made by Lubiano.

It also stated that Lubiano, in his personal capacity, neither shown to have any existing contract or sub-contract with the government for the supply of goods or services, nor that he is engaged in the performance of construction or public works. With this, the department stated that he could not have committed a violation of Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code when he made the contribution to Escudero.

This specific provision bars poll candidates from accepting campaign donations from contractors doing business with the government.

"There being no violation of Section 95(c) of OEC committed by Lubiano, it necessarily follows that the subsequent acceptance of contribution by respondent Escudero for his election campaign suffers no legal impediment," PFAD said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Escudero said that Comelec's decision affirms what they have always believed and practiced—that transparency, honesty, and adherence to the rules matter, and that the truth prevails when the process is fair.

"Since we first ran for public office in 1998, we have worked to consistently comply with our election laws because this is the foundation of public trust," Escudero said.

"The Comelec’s ruling strengthens my faith in our institutions and reinforces my commitment to continue serving with integrity and accountability," he added.