Group to file ethics complaint vs Marcoleta

WHILE Elections chairman George Garcia is still mulling his next move, the Bayanihan para sa Karangalan at Kaunlaran ng mga Pilipino (BAYANIHAN) yesterday said it is planning to file an ethics complaint against SAGIP party-list Rep. Dante Marcoleta.

In a press conference, BAYANIHAN president Elmer Argaño said they are planning to file the ethics complaint late August or early September at the House of Representatives in relation to his alleged false claims against Garcia and the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) 2025 polls service provider, Miru Systems.

“In response to his heinous actions, BAYANIHAN shall be filing an ethics complaint against the seating congressman over his wrong attitude and attempts to weaken the independence and credibility of the Comelec,” said Argaño.

“Our lawyers are already working on the case that we will file,” he said.

The group said the actions of Marcoleta are unacceptable, especially for an elected lawmaker.

“These wrongful actions not only destroy the trust of the public to the democratic processes but also carry a serious threat to the credibility of the forthcoming elections,” said Argaño.

Garcia has not ruled out the possibility of filing an ethics complaint against Marcoleta after the lawmaker accused him of allegedly owning offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, which supposedly received deposits from banks from South Korea, where Miru System’s head office is located.

The poll chief has debunked the claims of Marcoleta and said it is part of an elaborate demolition job against him and the Comelec.

Sought for his comment on BAYANIHAN’s plan, Garcia said he will closely monitor the proceedings on the complaint.

“I will be observing them and look into the (pieces of) evidence they will be presenting… If I will file one on my own, we’ll just have to see,” he said.

Asked if he has links to the BAYANIHAN, the official answered in the negative.

“Why will I ask others to do the filing? I should be the one to file such a case. I am not connected to their actions,” said Garcia.

BAYANIHAN said it is an organization of concerned citizens with an aim to advocate for the truth, integrity, and justice in the democratic