Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing to issue show cause orders (SCOs) next week to national and local candidates from the May 2022 elections who allegedly accepted campaign contributions from government contractors.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced that the orders will be sent to the candidates, allowing them the opportunity to clarify their positions. “By next week, we will be able to issue the show cause orders to the candidates, who were given campaign donations by the 27 government contractors,” Garcia stated in an interview on Thursday.

The electoral body previously identified 21 candidates who benefited from campaign donations by 27 government contractors during the May 2022 local and national elections. The recipients include six senatorial candidates, five party-list organizations, four congressional candidates, three gubernatorial candidates, two vice-gubernatorial candidates, and one councilor.

Garcia further mentioned that the concerned private companies are expected to submit their respective memorandum or affidavits by Friday, adhering to the deadline set by Comelec to respond to the issued SCOs. “We expect that by the 21st of November, they will flock here and we will accept their explanations,” he noted.

The 27 government contractors identified as contributors in the 2022 polls include Yunakim Construction, AIP Construction, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., 11-16 Construction, Prismodial Construction and Development Corp., Makiling Construction Ventures Corp., Viking Construction and Supplies, DN’D Construction and Development, Octagon Concrete Solutions Inc., Jozen Builders and Construction Supply Corp., Aqualine Construction Corp., R8 Asphalt Plant and Construction Inc., EZJONES Construction Inc.; JELM Construction, MWJ Construction, XDR Construction and Supply, Viguz Construction Corp., Everbuilt Construction, GOC Builders, PAFJ Construction and Supply Inc., AL Salazar Construction Inc., EF Chua Construction Inc., JWU Construction and Supply, DG Chico Trading and Construction, Gateway 21-25 Construction Corp., Tagum Builders Contractors Corp., and GP and H Construction Inc.