Comelec chief urged to clarify, address alleged bribery

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe has urged Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia to immediately clarify issues against him, to protect the integrity of the elections.

Dalipe, in a statement on Friday, said that the House of Representatives has not yet received any formal resolution asking for an investigation into allegations that P1 billion were transferred to a Comelec official’s offshore accounts when the poll body was looking for a new automated election system (AES) supplier.

Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta made the allegation but declined to divulge the identity of the Comelec official.

Garcia, however, he was the one being referred to but maintained that he has no offshore accounts.

“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 said.

Dalipe also said that Garcia’s decision to waive his bank secrecy laws and ask the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to probe the issue is a good move as it can “remove all doubts” with Comelec.

Garcia has repeatedly denied having any offshore bank accounts, sending the media a copy of his letter dated July 10 to AMLC requesting an investigation.

“Personally, I think that Chairman Garcia did a good job in signing an absolute waiver for the AMLC 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,” Dalipe said.

“This investigation will provide Chairman Garcia the opportunity to answer all accusations, thereby removing any doubts about his credibility and integrity,” he added.

Marcoleta last Tuesday said that at least P1 billion worth of funds were transferred from different foreign banks, including those based in South Korea, to 49 offshore accounts supposedly linked to a Comelec official.

While Marcoleta said that the findings are still being verified, he said the fund transfers coincided with developments in Comelec’s AES procurement.