Newly appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner George Erwin Garcia said he will inhibit himself from the cases of his previous clients to dispel concerns of conflict of interest.
“I prioritized inhibiting and withdrawing from all the cases where I am scheduled to have an appearance. Perhaps I cannot do anything because that is part of being a lawyer, but I will inhibit in all the cases I handled,” Garcia said in a radio interview.
Malacanang confirmed the appointments of Garcia, Aimee Neri, and Saidamen Pangarungan as Comelec commissioners and chairperson, respectively, on Wednesday.
Prior to his appointment, Garcia represented high-profile clients, including presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whom he represented in his 2016 electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Garcia also previously represented presidential bets Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, and Senator Grace Poe in her disqualification case during the 2016 presidential race.
But Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan—Robredo’s current vice-presidential running mate—raised a “serious concern” over the appointment of Garcia on Tuesday, noting Garcia has no choice but to be professional about his new role.
He reminded Garcia that if one is no longer a lawyer and is now a “judge,” he should be objective in deciding and be willing to inhibit in cases where he cannot decide objectively.
Garcia added he also wrote to the clerk of court of the poll body and made a full disclosure of all the cases that he was involved in, whether he was the principal counsel or collaborating counsel or whatever nature of his appearance was.
“I’m saying this early, I will not participate in these cases,” he added.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body’s commissioners can always inhibit from certain cases as they deem necessary.
“If there is conflict of interest, then concerned officials will certainly deal with it appropriately,” Jimenez said.
“I believe he can do it. Actually, he should do it for the sake of his name, his reputation as well as that of his family,” said Pangilinan, who is seeking the vice presidency under the Liberal Party.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If there is a will, there is a way. If he wants to be remembered well as one of the best election law practitioners, then he should perform to the best of his ability and be true to his oath to decide objectively based on facts and the truth,” he added.
