COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Friday that the bribery allegations against him are part of a well-financed campaign to discredit the entire Comelec.
"This is a well-planned campaign with Plan A and B. They are now in Plan B. What will follow is a white paper that will be released targeting individual Comelec commissioners. The final move is to impeach all the Comelec members. So how can we hold an election if there is no chairman and commissioners," Garcia said during a media forum.
He said "troll farms" are involved, another indication that the smear campaign is "well-oiled and well-financed."
Garcia assured the public, "we will fight to protect the integrity and honor of the Comelec as an institution."
Former Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice has alleged that an election official he did name received a bribe to expedite the P18-million contract between Comelec and South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. to lease 110,000 automated counting machines for the 2025 elections.
The money was deposited in 49 offshore accounts, Erice said.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia answers questions from former senator Joey Lina, host of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, on July 19, 2024. Garcia is accused of accepting bribes from Miru Systems Corp. a South Korean-based technology firm that won the bid to provide over 110,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) in the 2025 midterm polls. Both Garcia and Miru have denied the allegations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia answers questions from former senator Joey Lina, host of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, on July 19, 2024. Garcia is accused of accepting bribes from Miru Systems Corp. a South Korean-based technology firm that won the bid to provide over 110,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) in the 2025 midterm polls. Both Garcia and Miru have denied the allegations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia answers questions from former senator Joey Lina, host of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, on July 19, 2024. Garcia is accused of accepting bribes from Miru Systems Corp. a South Korean-based technology firm that won the bid to provide over 110,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) in the 2025 midterm polls. Both Garcia and Miru have denied the allegations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia answers questions from former senator Joey Lina, host of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, on July 19, 2024. Garcia is accused of accepting bribes from Miru Systems Corp. a South Korean-based technology firm that won the bid to provide over 110,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) in the 2025 midterm polls. Both Garcia and Miru have denied the allegations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia answers questions from former senator Joey Lina, host of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, on July 19, 2024. Garcia is accused of accepting bribes from Miru Systems Corp. a South Korean-based technology firm that won the bid to provide over 110,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) in the 2025 midterm polls. Both Garcia and Miru have denied the allegations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Garcia, who felt alluded to by Erice, said the problem with the bribery allegation is that it was not made under oath.
"What I did was, on the same day the allegation was made, I immediately issued an Affidavit of Denial which was administered under oath," he said.
"What is sad is that the accusation was made as misinformation, disinformation, but my denial was made under oath. So up to this day, I have been asking that the accusation should also be made under oath," said Garcia.
In a statement Friday, Miru Systems "strongly" condemned bribery allegations against it and election officials.
The firm said the accusations not only are "baseless and careless" but "also detract us from all the work that needs to be done with the Comelec for the 2025 National and Local Elections."
It said it will "cooperate with any government agency that will conduct an investigation and may even consider pursuing legal action, if necessary."
Miru Systems said it has been providing "reliable election solutions" over the past 25 years, citing the five last presidential elections in South Korea.
"Integrity is key to our operations all over the world," the firm said.
Miru recently unveiled new automated counting machines (ACMs) for use by persons with disabilities.
The ACMs feature a control switch, audio guide, headphones, auto-alignment and customized screens that are adjustable for any height, making them easily accessible to wheelchair users or amputees.
"Miru is a leading election provider that prioritizes inclusivity in its designs. We are always innovating to continuously improve our systems, as we believe there is nothing more important than a person's right to vote," said Ken Cho, Miru Systems vice president.
Based on Comelec data, there are about 800,000 registered voters with disabilities in the Philippines.
Garcia said Miru's offerings are in line with Comelec's efforts to ensure a smoother voting process.
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