‘No Room for Doubt’: Garcia Assures 2028 Elections Will Proceed

 

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia assured the public that the country’s electoral process will continue despite challenges, emphasizing that the 2028 elections and succeeding electoral activities remain a firm commitment of the poll body.

Garcia stressed that the COMELEC does not want the public, especially election stakeholders, to question the credibility of the electoral process. He said transparency will remain at the center of every step leading to the National and Local Elections (NLE).

 

“Ayaw natin na pinagdududahan ang ating proseso. Ayaw natin na may tanong ang mga kababayan natin, lalo na ang stakeholders natin. Gusto natin, as transparent as possible,” Garcia said.

 

He added that every procedure related to the conduct of elections will be made known to the public, underscoring the COMELEC’s commitment to open and accountable governance.

 

According to Garcia, challenges such as budget limitations will not stop the agency from fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect every Filipino’s right to vote.

 

“So long as the voters are registering at nakikita natin ‘yung init ng damdamin ng mga kababayan natin na sadyang bumoto, balewala po lahat ng challenges na ‘yan,” he said.

 

“COMELEC can always innovate. Kulang sa budget? Gagawa’t gagawan natin ng paraan basta makapagparehistro ang botante, at the same time, makaboto. Nobody should be left behind. Nobody should be disenfranchised,” he added.

 

Garcia also dismissed speculations about a possible “No Election” scenario, clarifying that discussions surrounding possible constitutional amendments do not affect the COMELEC’s mandate to prepare for elections.

 

He explained that the COMELEC’s rules on constitutional amendment initiatives remain suspended due to unresolved legal issues, but this does not stop the agency from carrying out its election preparations.

 

“This is our commitment, tuloy ang halalan,” Garcia emphasized.

 

During the stakeholders’ forum, Garcia described the gathering as the COMELEC’s message to the nation and the international community that preparations for future elections are ongoing.

 

“Hindi po magpapakahirap ang COMELEC, hindi po para aming ipatawag, ipanghinging oras at panahon mula sa ating stakeholders kung wala po tayong pinaplanong eleksyon,” he said.

 

With Garcia at the helm, the COMELEC reiterated that the electoral process will remain focused on ensuring that every qualified Filipino voter can participate, reinforcing the principle that no voter should be left behind and no voice should be silenced.