New Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia (File photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named election lawyer and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Erwin Garcia as chairperson of the poll body.
Malacañang released a copy of Garcia’s appointment paper on Monday.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles also confirmed the new appointment in a statement.
“The president has appointed Mr. George Erwin Garcia as Chairman of the Commission on Elections. He has submitted Mr. Garcia’s name to the Commission on Appointments as required by law,” she said.
In March, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed Garcia as Comelec Commissioner.
He, however, was among the top Comelec officials whose confirmation was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) in June due to lack of quorum.
Garcia will replace his predecessor, Saidamen Pangarungan, who also failed to secure approval from the CA.
He will serve his term until Feb. 2, 2029, according to his appointment paper.
Garcia is known for having represented Marcos in his vice-presidential protest against former Vice President Leni Robredo in 2016.
He also lawyered for Senator Grace Poe in a lawsuit that sought to disqualify her from the 2016 presidential race. (PNA)
