While the House of Representatives has not received any resolution for a congressional probe into the alleged ill-gotten wealth of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Garcia, it is imperative that this issue must come to light to protect the credibility of the country’s electoral process.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe made the statement, and expressed confidence that Garcia is fully capable of addressing the issues raised against him by SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. Marcoleta earlier vowed to file a resolution on the matter.
Citing reliable sources and documentary evidence, Marcoleta earlier accused an unnamed top official of the Comelec of opening offshore bank accounts and receiving up to P120 million from the controversial South Korean firm Miru Systems.
Garcia denied he received a bribe from Miru which bagged the P17.99 billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system (AES) for the 2025 National and Local Elections.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations made by Congressman Marcoleta against Chairman George Garcia, it is imperative that all the issues being raised against him and the reasons why these are being raised must be addressed, especially as we are now entering the election season,” Dalipe, representative of Zamboanga City, said.
“Personally, I think that Chairman Garcia did a good job in signing an absolute waiver for the AMLAC to investigate his alleged offshore accounts, but we still need to get to the bottom of this issue to remove all doubts about the COMELEC. This investigation will provide Chairman Garcia the opportunity to answer all accusations, thereby removing any doubts about his credibility and integrity,” Dalipe added.
The Majority Leader highlighted that the credibility of the COMELEC is crucial, especially with the 2025 midterm elections fast approaching. Ensuring that the poll body operates with the highest standards of integrity is essential for maintaining public trust in the electoral process, he added.
“As we approach the 2025 midterm elections, the integrity of the COMELEC must be beyond reproach. A transparent and thorough investigation will not only clear Chairman Garcia’s name but also reinforce the trust of the Filipino people in our electoral system,” Dalipe continued.
Dalipe assured the public that the House of Representatives would support all necessary measures to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation.
“Rest assured, the House of Representatives is committed to supporting all necessary steps to conduct a fair and unbiased investigation. We urge all relevant authorities to act swiftly to bring clarity and resolution to this issue,” Dalipe said.
To prove his innocence, Garcia earlier requested assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the allegations.
