Comelec: Impeachment won't affect preparations for Eleksyon 2025

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will not affect the preparation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for Eleksyon 2025, Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

“It is a political decision and therefore, it cannot, should not, and will not affect the preparations of the Comelec for the conduct of the elections,” said Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang paghahanda natin at hindi kami maiistorbo dito sa kaso o sa kahit anong klaseng development sa politika dahil wala itong implication sa pagp-imprenta ng balota, sa pagt-train ng mga guro at sa paghahanda overall sa ating halalan,” Garcia. 

(We’re currently preparing for the polls and we will not be affected by political developments.)

On Wednesday, the  House of Representatives endorsed to the Senate the verified impeachment complaint against Duterte with 215 congressmen supporting it.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said the impeachment court, which will try Duterte, has yet to be convened by the Senate in session.

The impeachment trial is expected to start when the Senate resumes session in June.

Duterte earlier said she was not thinking of resigning from her position after the House of Representatives impeached her earlier this week.

She said she had no plans for the upcoming elections but expressed willingness to assist the Comelec in its voter education program. 

“Napakalaking tulong ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan hindi lang ng Office of the Vice President…sa ating pagsisimula mismo ang pananalita na tayo ay hindi mamimili ng boto, hindi tayo gagamit ng state resources at tatalima sa patakaran ng Comelec. Malaking tulong po yan sa Commission,” said Garcia.

(It is a great help for the Comelec if the government agencies will vow to campaign against vote-buying, and the misuse of public funds.)

The poll body is currently gearing up for Eleksyon 2025. As of February 6, the Comelec printed a total of 14,747,766 official ballots, weeks after it resumed ballot printing on January 27. –NB, GMA Integrated News

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