The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Thursday, November 13, 2025, that it anticipates all 27 government contractors will submit their required affidavits responding to show cause orders by the November 21 deadline.
Deadline Approach for Contractor Responses
Comelec Chairman George Garcia revealed in an interview that the poll body does not expect early submissions from the contractors involved. The deadline of November 21, 2025 represents the cutoff point for these contractors to personally file their responses or have their legal representatives submit answers to the show cause orders issued by the commission.
"They will likely wait until the last day to respond," Garcia stated, emphasizing that early submissions appear unlikely. The Comelec expects all documents to be filed precisely on November 21, following what appears to be a strategic approach by the contractors and their legal teams.
Implications for Candidate Investigations
Garcia confirmed that once the government contractors file their affidavits, the Comelec will immediately issue corresponding show cause orders to the candidates who received campaign donations from these contractors. The commission had previously identified 21 candidates who accepted contributions, including:
- Six senators
- Five party-list organizations
- Four congressmen
- Three governors
- Two vice governors
- One councilor
Escudero-Lubiano Case Progress
The Comelec chairman also provided updates on the high-profile case involving Senator Francis Escudero and campaign contributor Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. Garcia indicated that the evidence gathering and investigation phase has concluded, and the commission now awaits the recommendation from its Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD).
Lubiano admitted to donating P30 million to Escudero's senatorial campaign during the 2022 elections while his company maintained multiple government contracts. Both individuals have already responded to separate show cause orders issued by the election body.
Garcia emphasized the urgency of resolving this case due to significant public interest. "We said this must be expedited to remove doubts not only for the accused but also for the expectations of our fellow citizens," he stated, acknowledging the case's importance to public trust in the electoral process.
The Comelec en banc will conduct immediate deliberations on PFAD's recommendations once received, though Garcia clarified that the department's recommendation is not final and requires commission approval. The resolution of this case represents a critical test of the Comelec's enforcement capabilities regarding campaign finance regulations.
