Marcos brings George Garcia back to Comelec as chairperson

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer George Erwin Garcia back to the Commission on Elections — but this time as its chairperson.

This was disclosed by Garcia himself in a Viber message to reporters and was later on confirmed by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Section 16, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution and existing laws, I hereby submit for confirmation of the Commission on Appointments, the ad interim appointment of Mr. George Erwin M. Garcia to the position of CHAIRMAN, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, for a term expiring on 02 February 2029, vice Saidamen B. Pangarungan," the letter from Malacañang dated July 22 read.

In a statement, Cruz-Angeles said Marcos has submitted Garcia's name to the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

"The president has appointed Mr. George Erwin Garcia as Chairman of the Commission on Elections. He has submitted Mr. Garcia’s name to the Commission on Appointments as required by law," Cruz-Angeles said.

Impartial

In a statement, Garcia vowed to be independent and pursue reforms that will give solutions to the current election issues in the country.

"Under my watch, the Comelec will aim for meaningful reforms that will resolve issues identified by stakeholders and the voting public. These will include structural reforms that will strengthen good governance founded on accountability, transparency, and integrity," he said.

"Rest assured that I will remain impartial and independent as a Comelec Chairman. The will of the people will be the Supreme law," he added.

Garcia also thanked Marcos for the trust and confidence given to him.

"As I have said before, given the chance and choice, I will  always choose to serve in the Commission on Elections," he said.

In March, former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Garcia as ad interim Comelec commissioner.

However, the Commission on Appointments in the 18th Congress bypassed his appointment, along with those of former Comelec chief Saidamen Pangarungan and former Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri.

Garcia is a longtime election lawyer whose former clients include Marcos, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senators Grace Poe and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and former senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao. — RSJ, GMA News