Introduction
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to come clean regarding campaign contributions received from government contractors during the 2022 elections. Their call follows a wave of public outrage against corruption in flood control projects at the People Power Monument on September 21.
Key Demands from Makabayan
In a bold statement, the Makabayan representatives, including ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, have set forth three clear demands:
- Transparency: Publicly disclose all campaign donations from government contractors.
- Accountability: Waive immunity and cooperate with investigations by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Office of the Ombudsman.
- Consequences: Accept any legal and political ramifications, including potential imprisonment and disqualification from public office.
Election Law Violations
The calls for accountability are backed by recent reports from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, indicating a violation of Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code. This section prohibits candidates from accepting donations from entities conducting business with the government. The Makabayan bloc cited significant contributions received by both leaders as evidence of this violation.
Pivotal Contributions
President Marcos reportedly received P20 million from contractor Rodulfo Hilot Jr. of Rudhil Construction. Interestingly, Hilot’s government contracts have surged from P2.7 billion in 2023 to P3.5 billion in 2024, nearly a billion-peso increase since Marcos took office. Additionally, Marcos obtained P1 million from Jonathan Quirante, whose Quirante Construction experienced a dramatic growth in contracts from P1.9 billion in 2022 to P3 billion in 2023, following his financial backing of the President’s election campaign.
Vice President Duterte’s Campaign Financing
Vice President Duterte’s contributions were similarly alarming. Her Statement of Contributions and Expenditures revealed P19.9 million spent on campaign advertisements funded by Glenn Escandor’s Esdevco Realty Corporation. Escandor’s Genesis88 Construction has since gained prominence as Davao del Sur’s leading flood-control contractor, completing P2.9 billion worth of projects in the first half of Marcos’s presidency.
Corruption and Governance Issues
The Makabayan bloc argues that these contributions function as “down payments” for government contracts, calling the electoral donations a violation designed to prevent conflicts of interest. They emphasize that such practices contribute to a culture of corruption that permeates governance in the Philippines. The lawmakers described this phenomenon as “bureaucrat capitalism”—where top officials exploit public infrastructure for personal gain while millions of Filipinos face poverty, inadequate education, and health crises.
Next Steps: Calls for Investigations
Tinio and Co are urging the Comelec to probe all other officials who have accepted questionable contributions in their SOCE. They also advocate for suspending current contracts and future bids from implicated contractors, including Rudhil Construction, Quirante Construction, and Genesis88, until investigations are complete. Their stance echoes a broader sentiment that the state has been captured by elite interests, benefitting a select few at the expense of the majority.
Conclusion
The ongoing revelations and demands from the Makabayan bloc underscore a serious need for action against corruption in the Philippines. With public trust in government at stake, President Marcos and Vice President Duterte must heed these calls for transparency and accountability.
