Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to scrutiny following a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report that he was among those who received millions of pesos in campaign contributions from contractors during the 2022 elections, Malaca±ang said Monday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be allowed to review the matter independently.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized the importance of letting the Comelec perform its duties without interference. “Let the Comelec do its job. Investigate. The President is willing to be investigated,” Castro assured during a Palace press briefing. This statement comes in light of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits candidates from accepting donations from entities with government contracts.

When questioned about the possibility of Marcos submitting himself to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a body he established to investigate flood control anomalies, Castro responded that the President will not excuse himself from any potential probe. “Matapang po ang Pangulo. Alam po niya ang kanyang ginagawa at kung ano man maaaring imbestigahan dito, hindi niya i-e-excuse ang sarili niya (The President is courageous. He knows what he is doing and whatever may be investigated here, he will not excuse himself),” she stated.

The PCIJ report highlighted campaign finance records showing donations from notable contractors. Tycoon Rodulfo D. Hilot Jr., owner of Zamboanga del Sur-based Rudhil Construction and Enterprises Inc., donated PHP20 million to Marcos’ 2022 campaign. Additionally, Cebu-based contractor Jonathan M. Quirante contributed PHP1 million. Both firms reportedly experienced significant increases in public works contracts post-election, with Quirante Construction’s awards alone reaching PHP3 billion in 2023, as reported by the PCIJ.

The Comelec has not yet commented on whether it will initiate a probe into the contractors’ contributions.