Comelec chairperson George Garcia (File photo)
MANILA – Newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia said he is in favor of the holding of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Dec. 5.
In a press briefing Wednesday, Garcia, a veteran election lawyer, said he is always in favor of the timely conduct of polls, saying it is the "best symbol of democracy".
Garcia, however, clarified that this is his personal position and not of the commission en banc.
He also expressed hope that lawmakers will soon decide on the fate of the BSKE.
“Hopefully, before the end of August, there will already be a decision," the new poll body chief said.
Earlier, Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed a bill looking to move the BSKE from Dec. 5, 2022, to the first Monday of December 2023.
For his part, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez filed a measure that seeks to postpone the polls to a later date.
Meanwhile, Garcia is ready to face the Commission on Appointments (CA) for the second time.
"I am prepared. My life is an open book. But I hope the center of everything will be focused on policy direction. Whatever questions or oppositions, we expect that. And I am ready for that," added the poll body chief.
In June, Garcia, who was appointed as Comelec commissioner by former president Rodrigo Duterte, was bypassed by the CA.
Early this week, Malacañang announced his appointment as head of the poll body.
Garcia on Wednesday officially assumed office as Comelec chief and presided over his first commission en banc meeting. (PNA)
