“It further cites that the same provision also makes it unlawful for candidates to receive contributions from such prohibited sources, naming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte as recipients of the contributions reflected in official campaign finance disclosures."

MANILA – Election watchdog Kontra Daya led the filing of a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against government contractors who donated to the candidacies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 national elections.

Kontra Daya asserted in its complaints that contractors with existing government dealings are prohibited donors under Section 95© of the Omnibus Election Code.

The respondents on the complaints are Rodolfo Hilot Jr., president of Rudhil Construction Enterprises, Inc., and Glenn Escandor, president of ESDEVCO Realty Corp. and Genesis 88 Construction, Inc.

“It further cites that the same provision also makes it unlawful for candidates to receive contributions from such prohibited sources, naming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte as recipients of the contributions reflected in official campaign finance disclosures,” Kontra Daya said in a statement.

The basis of the complaint stemmed from the findings of the Philippine Center for  Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) that Hilot was one of Marcos Jr’s largest contributors. He donated P20 million ($335,773) to the campaign.

Rudhil Construction Enterprises, Inc, was awarded government contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways during the 2022 elections.

“The contribution by Hilot Jr. was recorded in Marcos Jr. statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) as having been made on May 2, 2022 – after the Rudhil Construction Enterprises, Inc. had already entered into DPWH contracts dated January 9, 2022, February 11, 2022 and March 9, 2022,” the complaint read.

Meanwhile, Duterte received donations from ESDEVCO Reality Corp. of P19.9 million ($334,094) on February 28, 2022. ESDEVCO president Glenn Escandor, also the president of the Genesis 88 Construction, Inc., was also awarded with DPWH contracts.

“The Duterte SOCE records the ESDEVCO Realty Corporation contribution as having been made on February 28, 2022. By that date, Genesis 88 Construction Inc, – a corporation under Escandor’s common leadership – had already been awarded a DPWH contract on February 10, 2022 and subsequently entered into another on April 1, 2022. The timing and corporate interconnection of these transactions are material to determining whether the February 28, 2022 remittance constitutes a prohibited contribution under Section 95© under the Omnibus Election Code,” the complaint read.

“The law is clear—government contractors are prohibited from funding electoral campaigns to prevent conflicts of interest and undue influence in governance,” Kontra Daya said.

Kontra Daya was joined by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Workers Electoral Watch, Panatang Luntuan and Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa and National Union of Students of the Philippines in filing the complaint.

They were assisted by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

“This case highlights both sides of liability—the act of giving and the act of receiving prohibited contributions. Accountability must apply to all parties involved.”

The group called on COMELEC to conduct a full and impartial investigation; determine liability under Section 95©; and pursue appropriate action for election offenses.

Kontra Daya stressed that enforcing the prohibition on contractor contributions is essential to prevent “pay-to-play” arrangements in government and to protect the integrity of elections and public procurement. (JDS)

The post Kontra Daya files complaint vs contractors who donated to Marcos Jr, Duterte candidacy appeared first on Bulatlat.

From Bulatlat via This RSS Feed.