Hon. George Erwin M. Garcia brings a comprehensive understanding of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), mastering its inner workings from grassroots challenges to broader policy issues. In his first year as Chairman, he dedicated himself to crafting a blueprint for innovative policy and legislative reforms, embedding transparency, inclusivity, and accountability into the institution’s processes.
As Chairman of this cornerstone of democracy, Hon. Garcia’s transformative leadership focuses on identifying and overcoming complex institutional barriers within COMELEC. He provides practical and transparent solutions that align with his commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. His leadership style is characterized by decisive actions that prioritize the best interests of the Commission, the Filipino people, and his own integrity. He understands that his role relies on trust and accountability, both personally and collectively, within the Commission En Banc.
Hon. Garcia’s transformative approach is clearly outlined in his chairmanship framework. During his first year, he developed a framework incorporating policy and legislative reforms designed to meet the current needs of a dynamic democracy. This framework is intended to resist any influence other than the will of the Filipino people. To support this, Hon. Garcia initiated the consolidation of all provisions from the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws into a Revised Code of the COMELEC, aiming to ensure process stability despite administrative changes.
The structural and management reforms introduced by Hon. Garcia focus on implementing data-driven, measurable improvements to enhance the Commission’s performance and efficiency. Under his leadership, COMELEC now operates with high impact in conducting elections and democratic activities. Emphasizing the importance of technology, Hon. Garcia has prioritized integrating science and technology to create impactful and accessible voting and registration processes for all qualified Filipino voters, including those abroad.
Hon. Garcia’s commitment to voter education is evident in his support for the Education and Information Department (EID), which amplifies the impact of COMELEC’s information and voter education campaigns. Through his daily interviews, he provides timely updates on electoral rules, shares information about COMELEC’s innovations, and addresses public questions with transparency. Aware of the dangers of misinformation, he actively clarifies complex aspects of election law to prevent confusion and misinterpretation.
Furthermore, Hon. Garcia’s blueprint includes promoting open dialogue and collaboration, leveraging the collective resources of the EID to enhance public engagement.
Career Highlights
Hon. Garcia excels not only in governance mechanisms but also in fostering an informed electorate. His dedication to education is evident in every interaction, emphasizing that the future depends on an electorate that is knowledgeable, engaged, and committed to shaping a better collective future. He firmly believes that voting goes beyond mere participation; it represents a collective responsibility to make informed choices that influence the nation’s direction.
