Garcia appointment as Comelec commissioner is ‘wise decision’ — Palace

George Garcia, newly appointed Comelec commissioner.

MANILA, Philippines — The appointment of George Garcia as a commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is a “wise decision,” acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said Wednesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed election lawyer Garcia and former Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Aimee Neri as Comelec commissioners. Duterte also appointed former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos secretary Saidamin Pangarungan as Comelec chairman.

As election lawyer, Garcia represented various politicians including former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who are both vying for the presidency.

“Again, itong mga (these) appointments, itong mga (these) appointees ay dumadaan naman sa (go through a) vetting process, you know extensive vetting process lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga (especially those in the) quasi-judicial independent bodies na tatagal sa gobyerno (who will stay long in the government),” Andanar said on Politiko’s Politiskoop.

“You’re asking me if it’s a wise decision? Now, if the President is the one who chose, yes it is a wise decision. Kapag dumaan ‘yan sa (If it underwent a) vetting process, yes it is a wise decision,” he pointed out.

While the Comelec said the newly appointed commissioners may vote in pending cases filed before the poll body, Garcia has assured that he will be inhibiting from cases that involve his former clients.

To date, the disqualification case filed by Pudno Nga Ilocano against Marcos, citing his tax evasion conviction, remains pending in the Comelec’s Second Division since December last year.

Meanwhile, the consolidated three disqualification cases and two petitions to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy were earlier dismissed by the Comelec’s First and Second Division, respectively.

/MUF