Marcos ready to be probed on contractors’ campaign donations

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is ready to face any investigation into supposed campaign donations he received from public works contractors in the 2022 elections, Malacañang said yesterday.

Contractors with existing contracts with the government had donated to Marcos’ presidential campaign, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

“Let the Commission on Elections (Comelec) do its job – investigate,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

Asked whether Marcos is willing to submit himself to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Castro said: “The President is willing to be investigated.”

Citing the statement of campaign contributions submitted by candidates to the Comelec, the PCIJ reported that Marcos received P20 million from tycoon Rodulfo Hilot Jr., owner of Zamboanga del Sur-based Rudhil Construction & Enterprises Inc.

Jonathan Quirante, owner of Cebu-based Quirante Construction Corp., also reportedly donated P1 million to Marcos.

Marcos established the ICI to probe anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects within the past 10 years.

Vice President Sara Duterte said the government, which she is a part of, is the face of abuse and corruption.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a final ruling on the appeal of its decision to dismiss Duterte’s impeachment case, wherein she is accused of graft and corruption, among others. — Evelyn Macairan