Comelec chief recuses self from Erice cases
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia inhibited himself from cases involving former Caloocan City congressman Edgar Erice, whom the poll body’s Second Division disqualified last Tuesday from running for his old House seat.
“In view of the recent issues and the cases filed by former congressman Erice against me, I am exercising my discretion to inhibit myself 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 sent on Wednesday to the commission clerk, lawyer Genesis Gatdula.
“I believe that the pending cases Mr. Erice has filed against me constitute a valid basis to inhibit myself, in order to uphold the public’s trust in the impartiality of this office,” the chair said.
The Comelec chief referred to Erice’s motion before the Supreme Court to cite him in contempt and the criminal cases before the Office of the Ombudsman. Garcia also mentioned an alleged impeachment complaint that Eric has publicly stated that he intends to file against him.
Reconsideration
The Second Division upheld the disqualification case filed by a registered voter accusing Erice of deliberately spreading false and alarming reports, and of circulating misleading messages to disrupt the electoral process and cause confusion among voters.
Erice said he will file a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc and intends to bring the suit all the way to the Supreme Court.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Garcia said that he is not angry with Erice and that receiving such criticism is part of a Comelec chief’s job.
Garcia noted that he has no say in division cases, adding that most commissioners are more senior and more experienced than him.
He said one reason for the unfavorable decision could be Erice’s failure to submit a reply to the case against him, adding this might indicate that he does not recognize the jurisdiction of Comelec.
