Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) anew to probe allegations that he received bribes from the South Korean supplier of a new automated poll system.
In a letter dated July 18, Garcia reiterated his appeal to the NBI, saying the investigation was “essential to clear my name and support any related prosecution.”
“These fabrications, apart from being criminal, appear to be aimed at sowing mistrust in our electoral system, manipulating our procurement system, and influencing ongoing cases before our courts,” said Garcia.
The Comelec chief likewise asked the NBI to consider the sworn waiver he previously issued for the bank accounts included in the alleged “white paper” as well as the “Bahamas files” presented by ex-Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice as “absolute and unequivocal.”
“I am requesting the AMLC and the NBI to fully exercise their authority, including invoking Mutual Legal Assistance and other international cooperation mechanisms, to seek assistance from foreign jurisdictions in verifying the existence of these alleged bank accounts,” he said.
“This should include engaging with global counterparts and relevant financial intelligence units to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation. I am appealing to your good office to find out the source of these fraudulent claims and recommend their prosecution,” he added.
Last week, SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta questioned the Comelec’s awarding of the P18-billion automated election contract to a joint venture including Korean firm Miru Systems, amid the alleged existence of 49 offshore bank accounts which received money from South Korean banks.
Marcoleta said the decisions during the bidding process up to the awarding of the contract to Miru firm coincided with deposits made to the offshore accounts that he said are apparently linked to a Comelec official.
Garcia felt that he was the poll body official being alluded to, but denied owning any foreign bank accounts or properties abroad.
He has also since requested the NBI and AMLC to formally investigate the accusations and issued secrecy waivers against the involved bank accounts.
The Comelec chief earlier said he is eyeing filing charges against individuals behind the alleged demolition job.
Erice earlier said that he received a package from the Bahamas allegedly containing bank records of bribes and a list of properties of a Comelec official.
He did not show the documents to the media, nor did he name the Comelec official allegedly involved.
“I will not name it because it is not yet verified,” he said.
Erice submitted the documents, which he called the “Bahamas Files,” to the office of Garcia for investigation.
Upon checking, Garcia had said that the six domestic banks listed in the files verbally confirmed that the bank accounts reportedly associated with him were non-existent. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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