MANILA, Philippines – Hindi napigilan ni Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima na magtaas ng kilay sa natuklasan ng isang departamento ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na ang P30-million campaign donation ng isang construction firm kay Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero ay above board.
Ipinahayag ni De Lima, isang House deputy minority leader, sa X noong Miyerkules, Nob. 26, ang kanyang pangamba hinggil sa malaking donasyon na ginawa ni 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,” saad ni De Lima.
“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,” aniya.
“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,” patuloy niya.
“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,” ayon pa sa kaniya. RNT/MND
