Comelec chief inhibits from Erice poll case

MANILA, Philippines —  Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia has inhibited from the cases filed with the Comelec against former Caloocan representative Edgar Erice.

“In view of the recent issues and the cases filed by (former congressman Erice) against me, I am exercising my discretion to inhibit from handling or participating in any and all cases involving him or may be filed by him or against him,” Garcia said in a memorandum issued on Nov. 27 and made public yesterday.

He said the decision seeks to “preserve the principles of fairness and impartiality, ensuring the integrity of the proceedings under my jurisdiction, and avoiding any potential perception of bias or conflict of interest.”

“This action is grounded on the 1993 Comelec rules of procedure on inhibition,” he added.

Garcia issued the memorandum after the Comelec Second Division disqualified Erice from seeking a comeback as congressman of Caloocan’s second district in the May 2025 midterm elections.

According to the Comelec, Erice violated the Omnibus Election Code by spreading false and alarming messages to disrupt the electoral process and sow confusion among voters.

Erice previously filed charges of graft and corruption against Garcia before the Office of the Ombudsman over the Comelec’s allegedly anomalous contract worth P18 billion with South Korean technology provider Miru Systems.

The Comelec granted Raymond Salipot’s petition to disqualify Erice as a congressional candidate.