The Commission on Elections announced that six senatorial candidates in the 2025 May midterm elections allegedly received donations from contractors.

The poll body found 26 contractors that served as donors in past elections.

“We have now reached 26 contractors who we found donated to candidates – both national and local ones,” the official stated.

“For national positions, that’s correct, there are about six senatorial candidates who have received assistance from contractors,” the official added.

The official did not mention the names of the six senatorial candidates or the contractors involved.

However, the official noted that the Commission still needs to verify with the Department of Public Works and Highways whether these contractors were involved in government projects.

Contractors working on government projects are prohibited from contributing funds to candidates under the Omnibus Election Code.

Under Article XI Section 95 covering electoral contributions and expenditures, the Omnibus Election Code states:

“SECTION 95. Prohibited contributions. – No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following:

(c) Natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works”

Resolution Expected This October

For the 2022 elections, the official said a total of 55 contractors were found to be donors to several candidates.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has yet to verify if these contractors were involved in government projects due to the department’s busy schedule with investigations into flood control projects.

The official said one of these contractors admitted to having government projects, allowing the Commission to pursue the investigation.

The concerned contractor and candidate have already submitted their explanation regarding the alleged 30 million peso donation.

According to the official, the Commission may issue a resolution on the case this October.

One construction company president stated that his 30 million peso donation to a senator for the 2022 campaign was legitimate.

The senator earlier admitted to being friends with the contractor and confirmed that he was one of his supporters during his senatorial campaign in 2022.

But he has denied intervening in the contractor’s business and contracts with the government.

The senator submitted a manifestation explaining his position to the Commission regarding the 30-million peso campaign contribution he received for his 2022 senatorial bid.

“Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we are confident the Commission will find no fault,” the senator’s legal counsel stated.

Penalties

If proven guilty, contractors will face one to six years of imprisonment. For candidates, aside from the same jail time, they will face perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

For candidates who currently hold positions, there is a different process for their possible removal from office, but this falls outside the jurisdiction of the Commission.

Commission on Elections

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the constitutional commission responsible for enforcing and administering all election laws and regulations in the Philippines. It was established in 1940 to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections in the country. As an independent body, it oversees the entire electoral process, from voter registration to the proclamation of winners.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the engineering and construction arm of the Philippine government, responsible for the planning, design, and maintenance of national infrastructure. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has since evolved to oversee the country’s extensive network of highways, bridges, and flood control projects. Its mission is to provide and manage quality infrastructure facilities and services that are vital for national economic development.

Omnibus Election Code

The Omnibus Election Code is not a physical place or cultural site, but a comprehensive legal framework in the Philippines that governs the conduct of all elections. It was enacted in 1985 as Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 to consolidate and standardize the country’s scattered election laws. The code establishes the rules for campaigns, voting, and the canvassing of votes to ensure free, orderly, and honest elections.