A Legacy Defined: InCharge Magazine and Embassy of Indonesia Honor George Erwin Mojica Garcia

There are leaders who make an impact during a particular chapter of their careers, and there are those whose contributions become part of the institutions they serve.

For Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Atty. George Erwin Mojica Garcia, the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by InCharge Magazine and the Embassy of Indonesia represents a recognition of years of legal expertise, public service, institutional leadership, and commitment to the democratic process.

The award was presented during the InCharge Magazine CEO Awards 2026, held on August 27, 2026, at the Embassy of Indonesia in Manila, in celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day and the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia. The event brought together leaders from government, diplomacy, business, entrepreneurship, fashion, entertainment, media, and the creative industries.

Chairman Garcia’s career in election administration has placed him at the heart of Philippine democracy. He was appointed COMELEC Commissioner during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and later appointed Chairman by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. His career reflects a remarkable continuity of public service across administrations.

As COMELEC Chairman, Garcia has carried the responsibility of safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process and strengthening public confidence in elections. His legal background and extensive experience in election law have helped shape his approach to one of the country’s most consequential public institutions.

His Lifetime Achievement Award is therefore more than a recognition of a position. It is a tribute to a career dedicated to public responsibility.

 

A Distinguished Roster of Leaders

The InCharge Magazine CEO Awards 2026 recognized an impressive group of individuals whose work has contributed to their respective fields.

Under Individual Leadership and Industry Excellence, the awardees included Albert Andrada, fashion designer; Filbert Diego Kung, visual artist and photographer; Tommy Tiangco, content creator, entrepreneur and digital personality; Capt. Mark Tan, entrepreneur, business builder and aviator; Veronica “Kitty” Duterte; Sarah Deloraya-Mateo, President & CEO of SPD Jobs, Inc.; Maria Charo Calalo, President & National Director of Mrs. Universe Philippines; Glenda Hufano, Past District Governor of Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District; and Elvi Sanchez-Quiazon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of The Bellevue Hotel.

The Diplomatic Leadership awardees included H.E. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, Ambassador of Bangladesh; H.E. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, Ambassador of Germany; H.E. Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito, Ambassador of Colombia; H.E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia; H.E. Ricardo Luis Bocalandro, Ambassador of Argentina; H.E. Sin Saream, Ambassador of Cambodia; and H.E. Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Ambassador of Poland. The presence of these distinguished diplomats reinforced the international character of the celebration.

The Government and Public Service Leadership category likewise featured prominent Philippine leaders: Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Cabinet Secretary; Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go; Atty. Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Secretary of National Defense; Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia, Chairman of COMELEC; Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Nicolas D. Torre III, General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong, Mayor of Baguio City; Hon. Sol Deloraya, Vice Mayor of Sta. Margarita, Samar; Mel Senen Sevilla Sarmiento, Secretary and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity; and Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief of the Philippine National Police.

 

More Than an Awards Ceremony

Organized by TAG Media Group under the leadership of media entrepreneur Grace Bondad Nicolas, the awards reflected InCharge Magazine’s commitment to recognizing individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership, innovation, service, and meaningful impact.

TAG Media Group publishes five print titles, Rising Tigers Magazine, TopNewsAsia, Leading Women Magazine, EXQ, and InCharge Magazine, supported by nationwide distribution and growing digital platforms.

The evening began with a pictorial and interview session, followed by registration and performances. The formal program opened with the national anthems of the Philippines and Indonesia, symbolizing the shared friendship between the two nations.

Andrew Troy Nicolas, Publisher and Chairman of TAG Media Group, delivered the welcome remarks, while Embassy of Indonesia Chargé d’Affaires Victorina Hesti Dewayani delivered the keynote address.

Distinguished personalities also attended the celebration, including Aficionado Founder Joel Cruz, LGBT icon Barbie Arcache, Rotary Club’s Mache Torres, Manjit Reandi of Camp John Hay, Embassy of Japan Minister of Economic Affairs YOKOTA Naobumi, Dr. Elton See Tan of The E Hotels and Resorts, Robert Laurel Yupangco of Yupangco Group, Atty. Arnel Mateo of PCCI NCR, and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Los Baños, among others.

The awardees will also be featured in the succeeding issue of InCharge Magazine, in both print and online platforms, allowing their leadership stories and achievements to reach a wider audience.

 

A Legacy That Goes Beyond the Award

While the CEO Awards recognized leaders from vastly different fields, they shared one defining quality: the ability to create impact.

For Chairman Garcia, that impact is deeply connected to the Filipino people’s fundamental right to choose their leaders through credible elections.

A Lifetime Achievement Award is not simply about looking back. It is also about recognizing the values that continue to define a leader, competence, responsibility, integrity, resilience, and service.

As the evening concluded at the Embassy of Indonesia, the message was clear: true leadership is not measured solely by titles, influence, or accomplishments, but by the trust earned, institutions strengthened, people inspired, and legacy left behind.

For Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia, the Lifetime Achievement Award stands as a celebration of a life in public service, and a continuing commitment to protecting one of the most powerful expressions of democracy: the Filipino vote.