NEWLY-confirmed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia yesterday assured that the poll body will remain impartial and independent under his term.

During the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (CA), Garcia assured that his career as an election lawyer, which included having President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as his client, will not interfere with his “work and professionalism”.

“I can commit to you, I will always maintain the impartiality of my office and that the institution will always be independent in all its actions,” he said.

The CA yesterday confirmed the presidential appointment of Garcia as Comelec chairman.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri moved for the approval of Garcia’s appointment at the committee level after Garcia thoroughly answered queries from lawmakers comprising the CA.

The questions ranged from how to improve the conduct of elections involving vote-counting machines (VCMs), cleansing the voters’ list, establishing new Comelec offices and buildings, as well as the impartiality of the poll body, given that Garcia had a long career with many high profile clients before his appointment as Comelec chairman.

Garcia also served as one of seven Comelec commissioners during the administration of Marcos’ predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte. By Yvonne P. Cervantes

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