The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is investigating nine contractors suspected of contributing to the campaign funds of candidates in the May 2025 national and local elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) is currently reviewing the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) of several candidates to verify reports of prohibited donations.

“For 2025, we don’t have confirmed identities of the candidates yet, whether they won or lost,” Garcia stated. “But I can confirm that there are nine contractors who extended assistance to certain politicians.”

The ongoing probe focuses mainly on senatorial and party-list candidates, with no confirmation yet if district-level candidates are involved.

Garcia said the Comelec expects the investigation to conclude within two weeks, citing the public interest surrounding the issue.

The poll body had previously flagged 55 prohibited contributors in the 2022 elections, underscoring its intensified scrutiny on political financing.

Meanwhile, PFAD is also finalizing its recommendation on the case of Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., who donated ₱30 million to Senator Francis Escudero’s campaign in 2022 — a potential violation of election finance laws.

Once the PFAD’s recommendation is submitted, the Comelec Law Department will conduct a preliminary investigation before elevating the findings to the Commission en banc, which will determine whether criminal charges should be filed before the Regional Trial Court.