MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis Escudero has claimed that a recent exposé linking him to a top-earning flood control contractor is part of a “demolition job” intended to remove him from his position. According to Escudero, this plot is aimed at ensuring he is no longer the Senate President should another impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte be filed.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, August 12, Escudero responded to a news report that highlighted Lawrence Lubiano, the president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., as a major campaign donor. The report noted that Centerways Construction and Development Inc., which secured P5.16 billion in flood control contracts, had its president, Lawrence Lubiano, donate approximately P30 million to Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign.

While confirming that Lubiano was a donor and a friend, Escudero denied providing any assistance to the company after his election. He also pointed out that most of the firm’s projects were awarded at a time when he was not a senator.

Escudero alleged that the campaign against him is being orchestrated by those who wish for the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte to move forward. When asked if a member of the House of Representatives was behind the smear campaign, Escudero simply replied that it was “obvious.” He also questioned the “malicious timing” of the news story.

The issue arose after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an audit of flood control projects and revealed the top 15 contractors. Centerways Construction and Development Inc. was identified as one of the firms, but its projects reportedly only account for 1% of the total P545 billion spent on flood control.