Senate President Escudero Addresses Donation Allegations
Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed on Tuesday that Centerways Construction donated P30 million to his 2022 election campaign. However, he firmly denied any involvement in helping the company secure large flood-control projects from the government.
This statement comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed that P100 billion—representing roughly 20 percent of the government’s P545-billion flood mitigation budget from July 2022 to May 2025—was awarded to only 15 contractors, including Centerways Construction, officials reported.
Donation Confirmed, But No Business Partnership
While acknowledging the substantial campaign contribution from Centerways Construction’s owner, Escudero emphasized that he is not a business partner of the firm. Community members noted that the senator described their relationship as a long-standing friendship and acquaintance, with no commercial ties.
“That’s the same innuendo and insinuation that’s always being attached and said just because someone contributed or gave. He has long been my friend and acquaintance, and he has genuinely helped us—even long before this became an issue—and he’s really from Sorsogon,” Escudero said in Filipino during the press briefing.
Timing of Contracts Questions Alleged Influence
When asked if he assisted the company in securing government flood-control contracts during his Senate term, Escudero clarified that the firm actually secured its larger projects before he became a senator.
“The bigger amount he got was when I wasn’t here. I wasn’t here then,” he stated, underscoring the timeline to dispel claims of undue influence.
Focus Should Be on Actual Contractor-Lawmakers
Escudero urged the public to shift attention from him to government officials who are actual owners of companies that won major contracts under the flood control program.
“I am not part of his business. Again, that’s the innuendo and insinuation being floated and propagated. Why don’t we look instead at which lawmakers and government officials are actual contractors and owners of companies that secured government contracts?” he said.
Officials reported that the senator’s remarks aim to clarify misconceptions amid ongoing scrutiny of flood mitigation project awards.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
