The Legal Network For Truthful Elections (Lente) stressed that loopholes exist in the Omnibus Election Code following the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision clearing Senator Chiz Escudero over the ₱30-million campaign donation he received from government contractor Lawrence Lubiano.
According to the Comelec, Escudero did not violate any law because Lubiano made the contribution “in his personal capacity.”
Lente Executive Director Atty. Rona Caritos argued that the law clearly prohibits companies with government contracts from donating to candidates. As a workaround, she said, shareholders themselves make the donations, which becomes an “excuse” to skirt the rules.
Caritos added that the Comelec ruling presents an opportunity to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court to clarify this loophole. She noted that the issue has long existed, and Lente has repeatedly urged Congress to amend the law because it continues to be abused.
However, lawmakers appear uninterested in closing this loophole, Caritos said.
In the end, Lente expressed hope that the Comelec will show the same decisiveness on this issue as it has demonstrated in addressing other election offenses.
(PHOTO COURTESY: SENATE)
