Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia speaks on the accusations against him in a press conference in Manila on August 8, 2024. Garcia has been accused of accepting illegal funds through offshore accounts. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia is ready to face the impeachment complaint being planned against him by former Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice, the poll chief said Wednesday. 

"We should always be ready. Anytime, somebody could be filing an impeachment against us for removal. An official like me is subject to the disposal of everyone...  nobody can have permanent hold to a position. If they think that I am no longer fit for this position, we can accept that," Garcia told journalists in a news briefing. 

Garcia made the statement in reaction to Erice’s renewed attacks against him, this time, emanating from the withdrawal of St Timothy Construction Company, which is part of the Miru System Company Limited’s Joint Venture in its automated counting machine lease agreement with the COMELEC.

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Erice has been insisting that the COMELEC, instead of engaging with Miru, must stick to using Smartmatic’s vote counting machines, which Garcia has maintained are already obsolete and defective. 

Garcia also appealed to his critics to refrain from using name calling and instead maintain propriety. 

"If the discussions deal with the job and in the performance of our duty, by all means, call us out. But let us not go down to the level of name calling or personal attacks," he said. 

Garcia said he will just continue his work and focus in ensuring a glitch-free elections next year.

"The Comelec will never be bothered with its preparations for the elections just because its chairman is facing impeachment," Garcia said.

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