While he vehemently denies committing corruption, giving favors and whatnot, the admission of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero that indeed the flood control project contractor named as his campaign fund contributor is a friend of him and a province mate was telling enough.Β
“Thatβs the same innuendo and insinuation thatβs always being attached and said just because someone contributed or gave. He has long been my friend and acquaintance, and he has genuinely helped usβeven long before this became an issueβand heβs really from Sorsogon,β Escudero said in Filipino during a press conference the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.Β
The contractor involved is Lawrence Lubiano, the president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.who donated P30 million to the senate president during the 2022 elections.Β
Lubiano’s company ranked 7th in the Top 15 contractors in the country with the most flood control projects.Β
Escudero denied that he helped Lubiano’s company to corner flood control projects but a Rappler report revealed that the company had forty-four (44) flood control projects in 2022 from a mere five (5) in 2021.Β
That’s nine times fold and yet Escudero’s flat denial of being responsible for extending favors to Lubiano’s company is seemingly “implausible.”
Imagine, Centerfold Construction got P5.16 Billion in flood control projects from 2021-2024 where 96% of the firm’s infra projects were poured in Bicol region, 54 projects in Sorsogon – 36 of which were concentrated in the 1st district of the province, the bailiwick of the Escudero family since 1987.Β
Chiz Escudero as they say could always “deny to death” that he has helped his contractor friend in cornering flood control projects but the sheer number of projects taken by his company and the P5.16 Billion peso that it cost from the public coffers are solid enough. Lokohin mo ang lelong mong panot Chiz, you can’t defend the indefensible. For comments or reaction please text or call 09434823385 or email at tonton_antogop@yahoo.com
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