A LOSING congressional candidate in Bohol yesterday filed a disbarment complaint before the Supreme Court 9SC) against Elections chairman George Garcia for alleged bribery and fraud in connection with the May 12 midterm elections,
Lawyer Jordan Pizarras alleged that Garcia supposedly tried to extort P300 million from him, saying he needs the amount to win his bid to represent Bohol’s first congressional district in at House of Representatives.
“He (Pizarras) went to the office of Chairman George Garcia on October 20, 2024 to make a courtesy call since it is the first time that he is running for congressman and he asked Chairman Garcia for assurance if maipapatupad ng maayos ang lahat ng election laws ngayong election process na ito (if all elections laws would be properly implemented during the election process),” lawyer and Reina Mercedes, Isabela town vice mayor Jerryll Harold Paz Respicio told reporters late Wednesday afternoon after he accompanied Pizarras in filing the disbarment complaint.
Respicio is serving as Pizarras’ legal counsel.
Respicio claimed that during the visit, Garcia purportedly asked Pizarras how many voters are registered in his district, adding that when the latter replied that there are around 300,000 registered voters, the poll chief supposedly mentioned that he will need some P300 million to win.
“Anong suggestion yun? Ibig bang sabihin nanghihingi ka ng P300 milyon para maipanalo mo si Atty. Pizarras? (What kind of suggestion was that? Were you saying that you need P300 million to make Atty. Pizarras win?)” he said, directing his question at Garcia.
Respicio said Pizarras believes that what happened to him also happened in other parts of the country in the run up to the May 12 polls.
He said Garcia’s suggestion cannot be interpreted other than as a bribery attempt.
Garcia welcomed Pizarras’ filing of charges at the SC, saying this is the proper way to address the issue.
“That’s good. At least, there is a process. It’s better than airing criticisms via social media. Now, there is a way to properly answer. So, we welcome the filing of these cases,” said Garcia.
He also said he has no problem with the charges filed against him as it comes with being a public servant.
“If you’re in government, you must not be onion skinned. If mud is being thrown at you, just accept them and answer them,” he said. – With Gerard Naval
