Garcia seeks United States DOJ help

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia is seeking the assistance of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in identifying those behind the allegations that he owns offshore bank accounts.

Garcia said he would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in requesting help from the US DOJ.

He expressed optimism that the US govermment would lend a hand in probing possible cases of identity theft and bank fraud. 

Garcia said he would ask the US DOJ to probe those behind Jaleo Consulting LLC who deposited $100 each in the Cayman National Bank and New York Bank accounts that he supposedly owns.

Sagip party-list Rep. Dante Marcoleta earlier alleged that volunteers made fund transfers to two offshore accounts of Garcia.

Garcia said the Comelec wants to know the real owners of the two bank accounts.

He said he would send a letter to the DFA requesting the US DOJ to provide legal assistance to him, based on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.