MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday rejected an impending impeachment complaint and defended its handling of high-profile election cases, insisting that all decisions were legally grounded, thoroughly reviewed, and free from political favoritism.
In a statement, the poll body pushed back against accusations that it favored certain senators, including Francis Escudero and Rodante Marcoleta, in enforcing campaign finance regulations.
“Walang bahid ng anumang katotohanan ang katagang palagiang nagbibigay-pabor sa mga senador ang Comelec patungkol sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas kaugnay ng campaign finance,” Comelec said in a statement.
The commission emphasized that decisions on the cases underwent extensive evaluation across multiple departments before any rulings were finalized.
“Dumaan sa napakasusing pag-aaral at talakayan ng iba’t-ibang departamento at opisina ng Comelec ang mga kasong ito nina Senador Escudero at Marcoleta bago pa man mapagdesisyunan,” it added.
Comelec also disclosed that Chairman George Erwin Garcia did not take part in deliberations on the two cases to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to safeguard the integrity of the process.
“Sa katunayan ay hindi sumali sa pagdedesisyon o nag-inhibit si Comelec Chairman Garcia sa dalawang kaso na ito upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng conflict of interest at hindi makaapekto sa imbestigasyon hanggang sa paglabas ng resulta,” the agency added.
The statement came after lawyers Marvin Aceron and Sikini Labastilla, along with social entrepreneur Robby Kwan Laurel, announced plans to file an impeachment complaint against the Comelec en banc.
The group accused the commission of betrayal of public trust, high crimes, and violations of Republic Act 8436. Among their claims were the alleged use of unverified software during the 2025 elections, the operation of an unauthorized intermediary server that supposedly delayed access to election results, and the concealment of technical details related to vote-counting machines.
They also alleged selective enforcement of campaign finance rules.
Aceron said the complaint was supported by what he described as “direct admissions” from Garcia pointing to possible irregularities that could have affected election outcomes.
Garcia, however, dismissed the allegations as previously addressed matters, citing safeguards such as random manual audits, ballot revisions, oversight by independent watchdogs, and recognition from international observers as proof of the credibility of the 2022 and 2025 elections.
Comelec said it is prepared to respond to the complaint.
“Kakaharapin ng Comelec ang impeachment complaint na ito nang buong tapang at may dangal para sa buong sambayanang Pilipino,” it said.
The commission also reiterated its commitment to ensuring elections that are “free, fair, honest, orderly, credible, and transparent.”/PN
