Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia is weighing possible legal action against individuals accusing him of receiving P10 million in cash allegedly linked to former congressman Zaldy Co, as he denied the allegations and called them false and damaging.
Garcia said on Wednesday, June 17, that he is considering filing charges but is waiting for the accusers to formally swear under oath before proceeding with a complaint.
He said the absence of sworn statements limits the possible legal action at this stage.
“Because it is not under oath, we cannot charge them with what is called perjury. Perjury is more serious, the possible punishment for that is up to six years and one day [imprisonment]. So because this was not a sworn statement, we can only charge them with what is called oral defamation,” Garcia said in an interview.
The Comelec chief also strongly denied allegations that he received suitcases containing money allegedly sourced from anomalous flood control projects.
“It’s a big lie. In our country today, it’s very easy to sell lies as long as there’s a price,” he said.
Garcia suggested that the timing of the accusations may be politically motivated, pointing to the approaching May 2028 elections.
“The institution can be destroyed because of that demolition job. So, that’s what we are seeing as a reason,” he said.
The controversy stems from a claim made on Tuesday by a former bodyguard of Co, who alleged that a bag containing P10 million in cash was delivered to the poll body chief.
Garcia has maintained that he will only pursue legal remedies once the allegations are properly formalized under oath, while insisting that the claims are unfounded and malicious.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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