CA panel approves Garcia's appointment as Comelec chief

The Commission on Appointments' (CA) constitutional commissions and offices panel on Wednesday confirmed the presidential appointment of George Garcia as Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved for the approval of Garcia's appointment at the committee level after Garcia thoroughly answered queries from lawmakers comprising the CA.

The questions ranged from how to improve the conduct of elections involving vote-counting machines, cleansing the voters' list, establishing new Comelec offices and building, as well as impartiality of the poll body given that Garcia had a long career with many high profile clients before his appointment as Comelec chairman.

"He has answered our questions well and has plans for the next and future elections, and so I move to approve his appointment," Zubiri said.

Garcia assured the lawmakers that his career as an election lawyer, which included having President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as his client, will not interfere with his work and professionalism.

"I can commit to you, I will always maintain the impartiality of my office and that the institution will always be independent in all its actions," he said.

Garcia also served as one of seven Comelec commissioners during the administration of Marcos' predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.  —KBK, GMA News