MANILA — The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by a concerned citizen seeking to nullify the Commission on Elections’ decision clearing Senate President Francis Escudero in connection with an alleged P30-million campaign donation from a government contractor.
Based on a notice issued by Clerk of Court Marife Cuevas, the Supreme Court en banc ruled that the petition for review was filed using the incorrect remedy, leading to its dismissal.
The Court has not yet released the complete resolution, but petitioner Barry Tayam confirmed receiving official notice of the June 3 ruling.
Tayam maintained that the dismissal was procedural in nature and did not constitute a determination of the allegations against Escudero.
He said he is evaluating whether to seek reconsideration or to refile the case through a petition for certiorari.
Tayam, a senior high school teacher, initiated the legal challenge after Comelec ended its investigation into the reported campaign donation due to lack of evidence.
Alleged donation scrutinized
The controversy emerged during a House inquiry where contractor Lawrence Lubiano allegedly admitted contributing around P30 million to Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign.
Both Escudero and Lubiano denied violating election laws.
Comelec explained that its motu proprio investigation found no evidence showing that Lubiano, as head of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., violated Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code.
The law bars individuals or corporations holding government contracts from making campaign contributions to candidates, a safeguard intended to prevent contractors from gaining undue political influence.
For now, the Supreme Court’s action means the Comelec resolution clearing Escudero remains valid, while separate legal proceedings involving the same donation issue continue to await action from the high tribunal.
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