MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said he is prepared to face any possible impeachment complaint against him over issues involving election systems provider Miru.
"People like me are subject to the disposal of everyone, meaning nobody can have a permanent hold on a position. If we are not fit for the role, we will accept that," Garcia said in Filipino at a press conference on Wednesday
Garcia was referring to a possible case former representative Edgar Erico (Caloocan) could lodge. Even if such a case was filed, the 2025 elections would not be compromised, he said.
"We will face the impeachment because we believe in the fairness of our Congress. However, the elections will not be disrupted, nor will we encounter problems with the elections just because the chairman of the commission is being impeached," Garcia said.
What went before
Erice announced at a press conference on Monday, October 7, that he would file an impeachment complaint against Garcia for allegedly being "biased" toward Miru systems.
He has claimed the poll body chief is lawyering for the election provider.
"You did not become the Comelec chairman. You became the lawyer for Miru," Erice said.
Erice's pronouncement came two days after St. Timothy Construction Corp., Miru's local financier, withdrew from the joint venture for the 2025 midterm elections.
On April 18, Erice also filed a petition with the Supreme Court to halt Comelec's P17.9 billion contract with Miru, after the high court ruled that the poll body committed grave abuse of discretion for disqualifying the previous automated election provider, Smartmatic.
Erice argues the contract violates the Automated Election Law because Miru plans to introduce an untested hybrid system.
He also showed a letter last July allegedly addressed to Garcia containing information about offshore deposits worth P1 billion.