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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Short on diligence?': De Lima gives 2 cents on Comelec resolution on Escudero campaign donation issue

'Short on diligence?': De Lima gives 2 cents on Comelec resolution on Escudero campaign donation issue

Published Nov 27, 2025 12:39 am

At A Glance

  • Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima couldn't help but raise her eyebrow on the finding of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) department that a construction firm's P30-million campaign donation to Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero was above board.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Facebook)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Facebook)


Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima couldn't help but raise her eyebrow on the finding of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) department that a construction firm's P30-million campaign donation to Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero was above board.
De Lima, a House deputy minority leader, took to X on Wednesday, Nov. 26, to express her apprehension regarding the sizable donation made by Centerways Construction and Development Inc. President Lawrence Lubiano.
"The Comelec-Political Finance and Affairs Department’s (PFAD) finding of no violation of the Omnibus Election Code on prohibited contributions on the part of Sen. Francis Escudero and contributor Lawrence Lubiano may have been short on diligence," De Lima wrote.
"The law speaks of natural and juridical persons who have contracts with the government. It does not prevent a natural person from being penalized under the law if that person as the beneficial owner of a corporate contractor donates to an election campaign," she noted.
"I wonder if said Comelec office had looked into the ownership structure of Centerways Construction and Development, Inc. and found out if it is wholly owned by the donor, in which case they are one and the same," De Lima continued.
De Lima, a lawyer, said the situation reminded her of the legal principle known as "piercing the corporate veil".
"In any case, the PFAD’s resolution terminating the investigation of the case is merely recommendatory to the Comelec en banc, which is expected to further scrutinize the factual and legal issues involved," she said.
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