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Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the Kontra Bigay Program on October 11, 2023. The program aims to simplify the process of lodging complaints in relation to vote-buying incidents, especially in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 30.Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Poll chief George Garcia

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

Poll chief George Garcia denied Tuesday rumors linking him to alleged offshore accounts that received millions of pesos from an election provider, saying he has given the National Bureau of Investigation an absolute waiver to investigate the claims.“Kahapon sa NBI, sinabi natin pakiimbestigahan kung sino ang nagkakalat ng impormasyon na ‘yun para lang sirain ang kredibilidad ng inyong lingkod at ng Komisyon, at ng electoral process. Nagbigay din ako ng absolute waiver sa NBI kung ‘yan mga accounts na ‘yan ay nag-e-exist, ‘yung mga properties na ‘yan ay nag-eexist, lalu sa abroad, please feel free na tingnan, busisiin, alamin ang history o kung talagang nag-eexist,” Garcia told ABS-CBN News in an interview.“Wala po akong offshore accounts. Local accounts lang po ako… Noon ko na-realize na wala nga pala akong visa sa ibang bansa. Para makapagbukas ka ng account sa mga lugar na ‘yun, dapat napupuntahan niyo man lang,” he added. Garcia’s denial came after SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta claimed that 49 offshore bank accounts allegedly “traceable” to a Commission on Election official received deposits worth around $2.1 million or more than P120 million from banks in South Korea.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/10/comelec-to-use-sent-to-all-transmission-system-for-2025-polls-1058" id="isPasted">Comelec to use &#x27;sent-to-all&#x27; transmission system for 2025 polls</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/22/miru-bags-p18-8-b-project-for-may-2025-elections-1743" id="isPasted">Miru bags P18.8-B project for May 2025 elections</a></div>The lawmaker made the claim in a press conference on Tuesday, citing “reports” his office received, which are undergoing verification.Marcoleta said that based on these reports, the schedule of the money transfers coincided with developments in the Comelec’s bidding for the country’s voting machine provider for the 2025 midterm elections.“You should note that Miru Systems is from South Korea,” he told the media, referring to the lone bidder that bagged the contract.“A total offshore bank account worth $15.2 million or almost P1 billion. Ito ‘yung totality ng 49 offshore accounts. At least $2.1 million or more than P120 million are deposits made from Korean bank accounts between 22 June 2023 to 22 March 2024,” Marcoleta said.“The most intriguing part here… is these accounts are traceable to one Comelec official. This is a work in progress. You have to bear with me, because we’re still verifying most of these accounts,” he added.Marcoleta did not name the official, but said that once the accounts have been verified, he will file a resolution before the House of Representatives to investigate the matter.He said the offshore accounts are located in Singapore, China/Hong Kong, the Carribean, and North America.“They are alarming to say the least… Aren’t we supposed to question the Comelec? Is not the Comelec constitutionally obligated to at least make a response?” Marcoleta noted.The Comelec chief, meanwhile, said he will file a case if the NBI finds proof of the accusations. “Kung mapapatunayan ng NBI ‘yung mga malisyosong pinapalabas, kung sino ang mga taong involved, definitely hindi naman pwedeng hindi ako magfa-file man lang ng kaso o hindi ko sila i-e-expose… Sana ‘yung misinformation, ‘yan ay nilalabanan natin, at saka ‘yung mga fake news,” Garcia added.Miru Systems, meanwhile, called the allegations “false” and gave assurances that it remains “focused on delivering the best possible automated system” in the 2025 polls.“We have always acted in good faith and have proven the quality of both the machines themselves and our capacity to deliver all requirements on time through several public demonstrations, and will continue to show transparency as we move forward with our responsibility for the upcoming election,” it said in a statement.

Poll chief George Garcia denied Tuesday rumors linking him to alleged offshore accounts that received millions of pesos from an election provider, saying he has given the National Bureau of Investigation an absolute waiver to investigate the claims.

Poll chief George Garcia denied Tuesday rumors linking him to alleged offshore accounts that received millions of pesos from an election provider, saying he has given the National Bureau of Investigation an absolute waiver to investigate the claims.

Comelec chief denies offshore accounts, gives absolute waiver for probe

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Comelec chief denies offshore accounts, gives absolute waiver for probe

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 10, 2024 08:40 AM PHT

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