Gov't contractors prohibited from contributing funds to candidates — Comelec
Interviewed on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said this is a violation of the Section 95 (c) under the Omnibus Election Code.
Article Xi of the Omnibus Election Code states:
"SECTION 95. Prohibited contributions. – No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following:"
"(c) Natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works."
'Sila ay bawal mag-contribute sa isang kandidato yun pong mga contractors ng pamahalaan at kahit na anong political subdivision o kung sinuman yung may kontrata sa pamahalaan lalo na po kung ito ay public works,' he said.
(Those government contractors are not allowed to contribute to a candidate and any political subdivision or anyone who has a contract with the government, especially if it is public works.)
'Election offense po ito na may isa hanggang anim na taon na pagkakakulong at maaari rin pong maging dahilan ng pagkakakansela po ng mga lisensya o permit noong atin pong mga kumpanya na ito,' he added.
(This is an election offense that carries a one to six year prison sentence and can also be a reason for the cancellation of the licenses or permits of the companies.)
Asked about the punishment for election officials, Garcia refused to answer as some people may question and file a complaint before the Commission due to 'these developments.'
'Hindi ko po muna sasagutin dahil alam na alam ko maaaring may magkuwestiyon at mag-file ngayon sa Comelec dahil sa mga development na ito,' Garcia said.
(I won't answer for now because I know very well that someone might raise questions and file a complaint with the Comelec now because of these developments.)
On Monday, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors.
Marcos called the situation "disturbing."
Some of these contractors were linked to some elected officials. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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