MANILA, Philippines – The Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA), a coalition advocating against corruption, has intensified its challenge to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, demanding they publicly address investigative reports that their 2022 campaigns received millions in donations from government contractors.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Prof. David San Juan, convenor of TAMA NA, highlighted the apparent double standard in accountability. He noted that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has already submitted an explanation to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding a P30-million contribution he received, while the President and Vice President remain silent on similar, yet larger, alleged donations.

San Juan directly questioned the two top officials: “Mr. President BBM, and Madam Vice President Sara Duterte, should also explain. Is the PCIJ report true that you received campaign donations from contractors? And if it is true, is that appropriate?” He emphasized that if the contributions are verified and found to violate the law, the officials must be held accountable.

 

The Allegations and Legal Conflict

 

The controversy stems from a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report released in mid-September 2025, which alleged that both Marcos Jr. and Duterte “received tens of millions of pesos in campaign contributions from public works contractors.”

The core issue lies in the Omnibus Election Code, which strictly prohibits candidates from soliciting or receiving contributions from individuals or entities that conduct business with the government, whether directly or indirectly.

Key Allegations Cited by PCIJ:

President Marcos Jr.: Allegedly received P20 million from Radulfo Hilot Jr., owner of Rudhil Construction and Enterprises Inc., and P1 million from Jonathan Quirante, owner of Quirante Construction Corporation. The PCIJ report noted that the government contracts awarded to these firms sharply increased after the election, with Quirante Construction’s contracts hitting P3 billion in 2023, and Rudhil’s reaching P3.5 billion in 2024.

Vice President Sara Duterte: Reportedly benefited from a P19.9 million payment for campaign advertisements made by a realty company owned by Glenn Escandor (owner of Genesis 88). Escandor’s construction company had allegedly been awarded numerous public works contracts during the administration of the Vice President’s father.

Government’s Response: Investigation Pledged

 

In a late September response to the reports, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that President Marcos “is willing to be investigated” and called on by the newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The ICI was established by Marcos to investigate corruption and misuse of funds in government infrastructure projects, particularly those related to flood control, over the last decade.

Despite the President’s willingness to face the ICI, critics argue that a more direct and immediate public explanation from both Marcos Jr. and Duterte is necessary to ensure genuine transparency and public confidence, especially while the Comelec is actively investigating similar cases involving other elected officials.