Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia holds a press conference to address allegations that he owns offshore bank accounts at the poll body’s headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Comelec commissioners joined Garcia in the press briefing. INQUIRER.net/DIANNE SAMPANG
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Thursday asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to let foreign entities interfere with Philippine elections.
Garcia made the pronouncement after presenting evidence showing that electronic voting systems provider Smartmatic could be behind the supposed offshore bank accounts being linked to his name.
READ: Comelec’s Garcia traces offshore bank transactions to Smartmatic
The Comelec chief said that based on their research, Jaleo Consulting, LLC, which was registered in Florida, USA, carried out the offshore bank transactions being linked to him.
“Ako po ay nakikiusap, humihingi ng tulong sa ating kagalang-galang na Pangulo Ferdinand R. Marcos [Jr.],” Garcia said.
(I am pleading and asking for help from our honorable President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.)
“Sana po matulungan tayo na ‘yong ganitong tao, entities ay hindi makapamayagpag sa ating lipunan. Alam niyo po, ito po ay isang banta sa ating demokrasya, ang pakikialam ng isang foreign entity sa ating halalan,” he added.
(I hope you will not let these people and entities influence our nation. You know, foreign intervention in our elections is a threat to our democracy.)
In July, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta claimed that a Comelec official’s alleged offshore accounts received fund transfers worth P1 billion. He did not divulge the identity of the Comelec official, but Garcia said it was him being referred to by Marcoleta.
Last Aug. 1, Marcoleta said a volunteer in New York did bank transfers to two offshore accounts, which were supposedly traced to “George Erwin Mojica Garcia.”
Garcia disputed Marcoleta’s claims, saying the offshore accounts were recently opened and bank transactions will push through even with wrong names as long as the account numbers are correct.
READ: Marcoleta: Garcia to file ethics case vs me? No problem
The Comelec chief also asked help from Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis Escudero.
“Sana huwag po tayong papayag na ang atin pong mga opisina, mga institusyon ay magagamit upang maghasik ng mga kasinungalingan, magbintang sa mga tao, at manira ng puri ng iba,” he said.
(I hope you will not let our offices and institutions be used to spread lies, to accuse people, accusations, and destroy the reputation of other people.)