The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said campaign contributors of Senators Francis Escudero and Rodante Marcoleta have been summoned to answer the complaints filed against them in connection with the May 2025 polls.
Summoned, according to Comelec chairperson George Garcia, were Lawrence Lubiano, Escudero’s campaign contributor; former party-list Rep. Michael Defensor, Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, Marcoleta’s contributors.
“The status of the investigation, are there any summons? What I know is that subpoenas have been issued by our law department,” he said in an interview at a Comelec warehouse here.
“What will be done here is what is called a preliminary investigation…So, again, the so-called preliminary investigation will be rolled out,” he added.
Garcia noted that the case stemmed from separate formal complaints filed by private individuals, which is different from the motu proprio fact-finding inquiry the poll body initially conducted where they found no strong evidence against the lawmakers.
“What the Comelec did before, it was a self-proclaimed investigation. It was based only on available documents, available evidence, no complainant. There was no evidence gathered by our office,” he said.
“But, this time complaints were filed and therefore there were other documents involved, there were documents introduced and therefore we need to have those documents answered by the accused. Previously, those documents did not exist,” the Comelec chief added.
He said a possible violation of Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) rules does not automatically result in disqualification, but may be considered an election offense depending on the findings.
“What is called a violation of the SOCE, is not a ground for disqualification. Later on, maybe if you fail to file the SOCE twice, it will be a perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” Garcia added.
Earlier, lawyer Jesus Falcis filed a complaint against Escudero, while the Comelec Law Department has been ordered to conduct a preliminary investigation against three contributors for failure to submit their report of contributions, one month after the national polls. (PNA)