MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia has declared documents alleging foreign bank accounts linked to a poll body official, provided by former Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice, as potentially fabricated.
According to Philippines News Agency, which Erice claimed originated from the Bahamas, feature "similar fonts" suggesting they were produced by a single source, thus raising doubts about their authenticity. Garcia criticized the presentation of the bank accounts in the documents, noting inconsistencies such as uniform account numbers and the absence of bank logos, which would typically vary from one bank to another. He expressed intentions to have the documents thoroughly verified to ascertain their legitimacy and determine any legal actions to be pursued.
The controversy centers around allegations from Erice who stated that the documents show transactions involving USD1 million from South Korea, purportedly from Miru, the Comelec's service provider for the automation system for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. Erice's claims extend to 14 foreign bank accounts associated with a Comelec official and property holdings in various countries. Despite these allegations, Garcia has categorically denied any association with the accounts and properties listed.
Garcia also highlighted the potential legal ramifications of document falsification, referencing Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, which stipulates a penalty of up to six years imprisonment and a fine for falsification of public or private documents. The Comelec chair is adamant about proving the non-existence of the accounts attributed to him.
The matter now appears to hinge on further investigation and verification of the documents' authenticity, with significant legal and political implications depending on the outcome.