Centerways Construction Inc. president Lawrence Lubiano admitted that he donated ₱30 million to the campaign of Sen. Chiz Escudero in the 2022 elections. At the same time, his family's company has continued to win contracts for flood control projects.
From 2022 to 2024, Centerways secured approximately 83 flood control projects worth more than ₱5.1 billion. Nearly two-thirds of the projects were in Sorsogon, Escudero's province. In 2022 alone, the company secured 25 contracts worth a total of ₱1.29 billion.
During the hearing, Lubiano admitted that he only gave the donation to Escudero. He initially said he gave it to the senator, but later clarified that the ₱30 million came from him personally, not from the company.
According to the Omnibus Election Code, a candidate is prohibited from accepting donations from people who have contracts with the government. However, Escudero insisted that he had nothing to do with the Centerways projects and only accepted the donation as support from an individual.
Lubiano also confirmed that he has two siblings who are in government—a mayor and a councilor in Sorsogon. He did not name them before the committee.
