ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia is looking at creating a training and educational institution for all current employees and officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as well as those coming on board in the future, to update their knowledge and information on the mandates, duties, and responsibilities of being part of the poll body.
In a recent press conference, Garcia said he would push for the establishment of the Comelec Academy during his tenure.
“I will definitely move for the creation of a Comelec Academy… I will already order the conduct of a feasibility study of that,” said Garcia
Garcia said the training and education would improve Comelec services, pointing out that “a knowledgeable member of our staff will always cater to the delivery of service intended of us under the Constitution.”
Garcia said all incoming poll employees will be required to undergo learnings in the Comelec Academy to prevent having employees and officials who only learn of their mandates and duties while already on the job.
“What we want is everyone we will hire must undergo training and learn our curriculum. For example, we will hire an election assistant or election officer, they have to undergo education,” he said.
On the other hand, the poll chief said current officials and employees will also undergo the required trainings in the Academy, stressing that: “It’s hard to get old and have their knowledge limited. That’s what we call trained incompetence. Learning must be constant.
Your knowledge must always be upgraded.”
Garcia was appointed as the new Comelec chairman last week. Prior to his appointment, Garcia has been a long-time election law practitioner, once even serving as poll lawyer of Marcos.
Garcia will head the Comelec until February 2, 2029.
