Chiz faces Comelec probe anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct a full preliminary investigation on the alleged illegal campaign contributions involving former Senate president Francis Escudero, in response to a formal complaint filed by lawyer and vlogger Jesus Falcis.

This was revealed yesterday by Comelec Chairman George Garcia at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, saying the poll body is required to act on the new complaint.

An earlier motu proprio inquiry by the Comelec Law Division into the same allegations was dismissed.

“There was also a case filed – it seems a well-known blogger also filed one – it is now with our Law Division,” Garcia said.

He added that the division now has documentary evidence to evaluate and may either proceed with a preliminary investigation or elevate the matter to the Comelec in full session.

Garcia identified the complainant as a lawyer-vlogger who had previously been the subject of a disbarment case filed by Escudero before the Supreme Court over alleged violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). In his disbarment case, Escudero said Falcis “failed to abide by the highest standards of the legal profession as to warrant the extreme penalty of disbarment.”

He cited several Facebook posts made by Falcis from July to September 2025, which he said contained “abusive, demeaning and malicious language” against him, including references calling him “sinungaling” (liar), “bulok na keso” (rotten cheese) and the “worst Senate president in history.”

Escudero argued that these statements damaged his reputation and the dignity of the legal profession.

On the other hand, Falcis filed a counter-complaint against Escudero on Nov. 14 last year consisting of a 12-page pleading with 126 pages of annexes, alleging that the disbarment case constituted a “weaponization of power.”

He also claimed that Escudero was linked to some P142 billion in alleged budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.

The earlier motu proprio inquiry initiated by the Comelec Law Division stemmed from complaints alleging illegal campaign contributions during the 2022 elections involving President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The case was later dismissed after the Law Division cited the doctrine of immunity from suit for sitting high-ranking officials. The doctrine bars criminal proceedings against incumbent top officials while they are in office.

However, Garcia clarified that the dismissal does not translate to exoneration, stressing that accountability may still be pursued once officials step down from office in 2028, in line with existing legal principles.

Garcia said the division applied the doctrine as applicable to certain ranking officials, to allow them to perform their functions without disruption.

“Immunity from suit does not mean that you are protected forever,” Garcia said. “Of course, once your term in office ends, you may already be held liable or sued for your actions or any acts you have committed,” he added.

He clarified, however, that the legal posture changes when a complaint is filed by a private party with supporting evidence, triggering the standard preliminary investigation process.

Falcis filed the complaint in connection with alleged violations of campaign finance laws during the 2025 elections.