Garcia says demolition job long been planned
COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia yesterday said other members of the poll body could be the next target of a “demolition job” against the agency, which include filing of impeachment cases.
Garcia said the alleged move to discredit the poll body has several phases and has long been planned.
“The next phase of this (demolition job) will be the other individual members of the Commission… the six other members of the Commission,” he said in a radio interview.
Next, he said, “Impeachment cases will be filed against all of us (en banc members).”
On Tuesday, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcolate said at least P120 million had been deposited in 49 offshore bank accounts from Korean banks, with all “indications leading to a Comelec official” without giving names.
Garcia quickly responded, saying Marcoleta was alluding to him. He denied having offshore bank accounts.
There was no statement yesterday from Marcoleta who was asked by Garcia why he made public information that the lawmaker himself said was unverified.
After Marcoleta’s disclosure during a press conference, Garcia said he has asked the NBI to look into his bank accounts and identify those behind the allegations. In his letter to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, Garcia expressed his readiness to sign a waiver to aid the agency’s probe.
Yesterday, Garcia said he also asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to conduct an investigation, and issued a waiver.
“I am writing to formally request the AMLC to conduct a full and thorough investigation into the baseless and defamatory allegations that have been circulating against me,” he said in a letter to the AMLC.
“Given the potential implications of these allegations on the integrity and independence of the Commission on Elections and the electoral process, I urge the AMLC to prioritize this investigation,” he added.
Garcia attached in his letter a “Sworn Waiver of Secrecy of Bank Deposits” on the 49 offshore bank accounts as well as an “affidavit of denial” on receiving bribe money and owning foreign bank accounts.
Garcia, in the radio interview, said he has received information about the whole demolition game plan related to the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) contract between the Comelec and the joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems.
“I got the information that this won’t end with my demolition and the demolition of my character,” he said.
He said those behind the negative campaign are out to discredit the automated election system (AES) contract, which is being questioned in the Supreme Court by former congressman Edgar Erice.
“The intention is clearly to influence the case pending in the Supreme Court that is seeking to annul our contract,” said Garcia.
Asked who are those behind the demolition job, Garcia merely said a group is behind it but refused to elaborate.
“The time (to disclose their identities) will come. I just want the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to get a jumpstart on the investigation,” said Garcia.
Garcia said he is ready to resign as Comelec chairman.
“If they find even a single foreign account belonging to me, I will resign from the Commission,” he said.
