Make sure your election lawyer joins Comelec

Voters weren't surprised that Comelec cleared Sen. Chiz Escudero. They expected the ruling - that he did no wrong in accepting P30-million campaign contribution from a government contractor.

- JARIUS BONDOC

That’s not because Escudero was innocent. It’s just that Comelec Chairman George Garcia used to be Escudero’s election lawyer.

The P30 million was contribution for Election 2022. Escudero ran for senator in May that year. Garcia filed Escudero’s candidacy for him in October 2021.

The money came from Escudero’s friend Lawrence Lubiano. The latter owns Centerways Construction and Development.

Before Escudero ran for senator, he was governor of Sorsogon. Lubiano’s Centerways was already active in the province then. He bagged 112 deals worth P16.67 billion in Sorsogon from 2021 to 2025.

The Omnibus Election Code forbids government contractors from contributing to politicos and parties. Candidates and party reps are prohibited from accepting.

Violators face up to six years imprisonment. In addition, politicos shall be removed and perpetually barred from public office.

Garcia was also election lawyer in 2016 of vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos. BBM lost.

In Election 2022, BBM and Sara Duterte teamed up as president-VP.

On March 8, 2022 Sara’s father, president Rody Duterte, appointed Garcia as Comelec commissioner.

On July 22, 2022 three-week long President BBM made Garcia Comelec chairman. Obviously a reward.

That year’s vote count was the fastest ever in world history. Thirty-seven percent of the votes, or more than 20 million, poured in within the first hour.