An organization of youth leaders and local political organizers on Wednesday expressed concern that the bribery accusations made by Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia might compromise the upcoming 2025 elections.
In a press conference, Bayanihan Para sa Karangalan at Kaunlaran ng mga Pilipino (BAYANIHAN) expressed concern over Marcoleta’s accusations, saying these could compromise the integrity of the poll body and the upcoming 2025 May elections.
To this effect, BAYANIHAN chairperson Elmer Argaño said they are considering taking actions before the House Ethics Committee.
For their next moves, Argaño said they are already coordinating with at least two lawmakers at the House of Representatives.
Marcoleta previously linked Garcia to two offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands which allegedly received deposits from South Korean banks. He also questioned the contract awarding of Comelec of an P18-billion automated election contract to a joint venture including Korean firm Miru amid the existence of alleged 49 offshore bank accounts.
Garcia has since denied the accusations and requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to (AMLC) formally investigate Marcoleta’s accusations. He also signed waivers to the said bank accounts.
The two Cayman Islands banks as well as six local banks involved refuted the existence of Garcia’s supposed bank accounts.
Garcia not involved
For his part, Garcia denies any ties with BAYANIHAN during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
“Hindi po (I am not),” Garcia answered when asked if he is affiliated with the organization.
“Bakit ako magpapa-file sa iba? Kung tutuusin ako ang dapat mag-file. Sa akin galing ang mga dokyumento, ako ang naka-diskubre. Sino pa ang makakapag testigo kung hindi ako?”
(Why should I file through others? The documents came from me, I discovered them. Who could testify except me?)
“Hindi ko po ano ang ginagawa ng grupong ganyan. Siguro po dahil sa ating panawagan na sana pakinggan itong mga bagay na ganito,” Garcia added.
(I am not aware of the group’s activities. But with this call I hope issues like these can be addressed.)
—RF, GMA Integrated News
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