Comelec chief to seek US aid on possible bank fraud case over fake offshore accounts
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Comelec chief to seek US aid on possible bank fraud case over fake offshore accounts
Comelec Chairman George Garcia delivers his message during the Philippine Disability Convention and Expo at the SMX convention hall at the Mall of Asia in Pasay city on July 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Comelec Chairman George Garcia delivers his message during the Philippine Disability Convention and Expo at the SMX convention hall at the Mall of Asia in Pasay city on July 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia on Saturday said he would soon coordinate with the United States' Department of Justice (US DOJ) to flag a possible bank fraud case after a US-based bank account was allegedly used to pose as his offshore account.
MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia on Saturday said he would soon coordinate with the United States' Department of Justice (US DOJ) to flag a possible bank fraud case after a US-based bank account was allegedly used to pose as his offshore account.
SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta earlier claimed that Garcia owned illegal offshore accounts in New York and in the Cayman Islands, both of which Garcia had dismissed as fake.
SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta earlier claimed that Garcia owned illegal offshore accounts in New York and in the Cayman Islands, both of which Garcia had dismissed as fake.
"Palagay ko kailangan mag-aksyon dito ang US sapagkat ito po ay bank fraud," Garcia told ABS-CBN News, noting that the United States' Patriot Act mandates American agencies to strictly enforce policies to prevent fraud.
"Palagay ko kailangan mag-aksyon dito ang US sapagkat ito po ay bank fraud," Garcia told ABS-CBN News, noting that the United States' Patriot Act mandates American agencies to strictly enforce policies to prevent fraud.
"Pinalabas nila na yung isang account number, ako ang may ari, pinalitan ng name. Hindi ba bank fraud yun na pinalabas, isinapubliko at the same time, identity theft yun, ninanakaw yung pangalan ko," he said.
"Pinalabas nila na yung isang account number, ako ang may ari, pinalitan ng name. Hindi ba bank fraud yun na pinalabas, isinapubliko at the same time, identity theft yun, ninanakaw yung pangalan ko," he said.
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While legal recourses in the Philippines are available, Garcia said that he prefers to appear and participate before Congressional investigations to debunk allegations that he accepted illegal funds through his alleged offshore accounts.
While legal recourses in the Philippines are available, Garcia said that he prefers to appear and participate before Congressional investigations to debunk allegations that he accepted illegal funds through his alleged offshore accounts.
"Hindi man ako mag-file ng kasi ang US naman ay nandiyan para protektahan lagi ang integridad ng kanilang sistema," said Garcia, a known veteran election lawyer before his appointment to the Comelec.
"Hindi man ako mag-file ng kasi ang US naman ay nandiyan para protektahan lagi ang integridad ng kanilang sistema," said Garcia, a known veteran election lawyer before his appointment to the Comelec.
"Ang US kapag may kasong na-commit sa kanila, kahit nasa ibang bansa ka hahabulin at hahabulin ka nila," he said.
"Ang US kapag may kasong na-commit sa kanila, kahit nasa ibang bansa ka hahabulin at hahabulin ka nila," he said.
Earlier this month, Garcia signed a waiver to allow Philippine authorities to check his bank accounts after a former lawmaker received an anonymous tip that the Comelec chief was hiding illegal funds in offshore accounts.
Earlier this month, Garcia signed a waiver to allow Philippine authorities to check his bank accounts after a former lawmaker received an anonymous tip that the Comelec chief was hiding illegal funds in offshore accounts.
"Handa po akong humarap sa kahit anong pagdinig. Wala akong kahit anong foreign account, wala akong kahit anong property abroad," Garcia said, underscoring that he has never traveled to the US or any of its territories where his alleged offshore accounts were opened.
"Handa po akong humarap sa kahit anong pagdinig. Wala akong kahit anong foreign account, wala akong kahit anong property abroad," Garcia said, underscoring that he has never traveled to the US or any of its territories where his alleged offshore accounts were opened.
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"Yung six na local accounts na binabanggit nila, nag-issue ng certification na fake lahat yung accounts na yan," he said.
"Yung six na local accounts na binabanggit nila, nag-issue ng certification na fake lahat yung accounts na yan," he said.
Garcia had rejected calls for him to resign, and instead dared his accusers to prove the authenticity of the documents they had been presenting to the public.
Garcia had rejected calls for him to resign, and instead dared his accusers to prove the authenticity of the documents they had been presenting to the public.
The Comelec chief also said that the "demolition job" against him and his agency has one end goal: to coerce them to use the old vote counting machines in the 2025 elections.
The Comelec chief also said that the "demolition job" against him and his agency has one end goal: to coerce them to use the old vote counting machines in the 2025 elections.
Marcoleta earlier presented a bank document showing that a certain Jaleo Consulting LLC — a Florida-based firm — deposited $276.42 to Garcia's alleged account in Chase Bank to prove that the account exists.
Marcoleta earlier presented a bank document showing that a certain Jaleo Consulting LLC — a Florida-based firm — deposited $276.42 to Garcia's alleged account in Chase Bank to prove that the account exists.
Jaleo Consulting LLC is managed by a certain Jose A. Herrera, according to records from the State of Florida.
Jaleo Consulting LLC is managed by a certain Jose A. Herrera, according to records from the State of Florida.
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Documents from the Barbados Corporate Registry Data — made public by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists — showed that Herrera had served as a director of Barbados-based Albatross Technologies Corporation, which shared the same Barbados office address as Smartmatic International Corporation.
Documents from the Barbados Corporate Registry Data — made public by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists — showed that Herrera had served as a director of Barbados-based Albatross Technologies Corporation, which shared the same Barbados office address as Smartmatic International Corporation.
In 2023, the Comelec banned Smartmatic from participating in any election procurement after the former contractor was tagged in a US bribery case against former poll chief Andres Bautista.
In 2023, the Comelec banned Smartmatic from participating in any election procurement after the former contractor was tagged in a US bribery case against former poll chief Andres Bautista.
In April, the Supreme Court reversed the Comelec's decision to disqualify Smartmatic from all election biddings, saying that "finding of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the COMELEC En Banc is not sufficient basis to nullify the public bidding."
In April, the Supreme Court reversed the Comelec's decision to disqualify Smartmatic from all election biddings, saying that "finding of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the COMELEC En Banc is not sufficient basis to nullify the public bidding."
ABS-CBN News has been trying to get in touch with Herrera, and sought comments from Marcoleta and Smartmatic, but they have yet to respond.
ABS-CBN News has been trying to get in touch with Herrera, and sought comments from Marcoleta and Smartmatic, but they have yet to respond.
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