PH Supreme Court dismisses challenge to Comelec ruling clearing Senator Escudero

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) decision clearing Sen. Francis Escudero over a P30-million campaign contribution from a government contractor, saying the petitioner had used the wrong legal remedy.

The Supreme Court En Banc has dismissed the petition for review filed by John Barry Tayam against Escudero and the Comelec's Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD). In a resolution dated June 3, 2026, the Court ruled that the case was dismissed because it was brought using the wrong legal remedy.

In a notice signed by Clerk of Court Marife M. Lombibao-Cuevas, the Supreme Court En Banc said that in a resolution dated June 3, 2026, it dismissed the petition for review filed by John Barry Tayam against Escudero and the Comelec's Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD).

"The Court resolved to DISMISS the Petition for Review dated December 23, 2025, filed by the petitioner, for being the wrong remedy," the resolution read.

The case arose from PFAD's decision to close its investigation into Escudero and businessman Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., regarding a P30-million contribution made during Escudero's 2022 senatorial campaign.

PFAD ruled that no election law violation had been committed, explaining that Lubiano and his construction firm are distinct legal entities. It concluded that the contribution was made by Lubiano as a private individual and not by the corporation, which is prohibited from making campaign donations as a government contractor.

Tayam, a public school teacher from Las Piñas City, disputed PFAD's findings, arguing that Lubiano's role as the company's majority shareholder and president should preclude treating him as entirely separate from the corporation when applying the Omnibus Election Code's ban on campaign donations from government contractors.

The Supreme Court had previously granted Tayam's motion for leave to file and admit the petition for review, allowing the case to be considered. However, in its June 3 resolution, the High Court ultimately dismissed the petition after finding that the legal remedy pursued was procedurally incorrect.

As a result, the Court did not address the substance of Tayam's allegations regarding the legality of the P30-million contribution, resolving the case solely on procedural grounds.

-Paraluman News