By Sam Yu
MANILA — The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition that sought to overturn a Commission on Elections ruling clearing Senate President Francis Escudero of alleged election law violations linked to a P30-million campaign contribution from a contractor.
According to a notice from Supreme Court Clerk of Court Marife Cuevas, the Court en banc dismissed the petition for review because the remedy availed of by the petitioner was improper.
The resolution was promulgated on June 3, although the full decision has yet to be released publicly.
Petitioner Barry Tayam acknowledged receiving the notice and emphasized that the dismissal was based on technical grounds rather than on the merits of the allegations.
“The Court did not rule on whether the allegations were true or false. The petition was dismissed because of the procedure used,”
he said.
Tayam added that he is considering filing a motion for reconsideration or initiating a separate certiorari proceeding before the high court.
The case arose after contractor Lawrence Lubiano allegedly testified during a congressional inquiry that he contributed approximately P30 million to Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign.
Comelec subsequently conducted its own investigation and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a violation of Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code.
That provision prohibits government contractors and subcontractors from donating to political candidates during election campaigns.
Escudero and Lubiano have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The poll body’s ruling effectively ended the investigation, and the Supreme Court’s latest action leaves that clearance intact for now.
Meanwhile, Tayam noted that another case concerning the same donation issue, filed by lawyer Jesus Falcis, remains pending before the Supreme Court.
elamigo/
