Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia announced on Wednesday that he will withhold filing lawsuits against a group of whistleblowers, dubbed the “maleta boys,” until they submit formalized, sworn affidavits regarding their corruption allegations.
Garcia explained that addressing accusations made outside of a formal oath is counterproductive, as unsworn statements hold no legal weight and can be easily taken back.
“Kasi kapag hindi under oath, pwedeng baguhin yung salaysay. Pwedeng sabihing, ‘Hindi, nagkamali lang ako nung una.’ So anong ibig sabihin? Ang hirap mag-react doon sa kanilang mga sinasabi na specifics… sa hindi isang sinumpaang salaysay,” Garcia explained to reporters.
The COMELEC chief emphasized that waiting for his accusers to officially record their claims under penalty of perjury is a deliberate, strategic choice.
“Kaya nga sabi ko, hindi agad ako magpa-file ng kaso. Hihintayin ko munang gumawa sila nung sinumpaang salaysay nila,” he added.
The development follows claims made on Tuesday by individuals identifying themselves as former security details for ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co. The group alleged that Garcia accepted a ₱10 million bribe from the former lawmaker, an accusation the poll body chief immediately denied.
The allegations were aired during a public event hosted by supporters of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, where the whistleblowers repeated multiple claims connecting various government officials to anomalous flood control projects.
Apart from defending his own name, Garcia stated he intends to unmask the masterminds orchestrating what he described as a smear campaign, asserting that those fabricating false narratives must face legal consequences if the claims are proven baseless.