Happeningph Governance! Visionary Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia Steers COMELEC Towards Inclusive and Transparent Elections

Since assuming the role of Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in July 2022, Atty. George Erwin Mojica Garcia has been at the helm of transformative changes within the Philippine electoral system. With a background rooted in law and education, Garcia’s leadership is characterized by a commitment to transparency, modernization, and youth empowerment. As the nation approaches the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for December 2025, Garcia’s initiatives are paving the way for a more inclusive and credible electoral process.

Educational Background and Professional Journey

Atty. Garcia’s academic journey commenced at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Bachelor of Laws degrees. Furthering his legal expertise, he obtained a Master of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in law and public service.

Before his appointment to COMELEC, Garcia served as a law professor and later as the dean of a prominent law school. His tenure in academia honed his skills in leadership, governance, and public policy, which he seamlessly transitioned into his role at COMELEC. His experience as a law professor has been instrumental in shaping his approach to electoral reforms and voter education.

Advocacy for Electoral Integrity and Youth Engagement

Chairman Garcia’s leadership is underscored by a steadfast commitment to electoral integrity and youth engagement. Recognizing the challenges posed by misinformation and voter apathy, he has championed initiatives aimed at enhancing voter education and promoting informed decision-making.

One of his notable initiatives is the Kaisa Project, a collaborative effort with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL). Launched in 2025, the project focuses on empowering youth voters and ensuring the integrity of the upcoming BSKE. The project encompasses voter education campaigns, transparency initiatives, and the establishment of mechanisms to combat electoral fraud.

Garcia emphasizes that “electoral reform centers on accessibility, as we aim for more inclusive participation in the process of choosing our leaders.” This philosophy drives his efforts to make the electoral process more transparent and accessible to all Filipinos, particularly the youth.

COMELEC Chair Garcia Lauds Record-Breaking Midterm Elections

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia has hailed the May 12, 2025 midterm elections as a historic milestone, underscoring its success in voter turnout, transparency, and institutional integrity.

1. Highest-Ever Midterm Turnout

With 82.2% voter participation, equivalent to 55.9 million of the 68.4 million registered Filipino voters, the May polls achieved the highest turnout in Philippine midterm history .
Chair Garcia emphasized:

“This is not a victory for the Comelec. This is a victory for the Filipino people.”

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2. Upholding Election Integrity

Responding to claims of disenfranchisement from international observers, Garcia firmly rejected the charges, citing the record turnout as proof of free and open voting .
He also clarified issues related to overvoting: out of 57 million voters, an estimated 1.3 million overvoted, but emphasized this was a limited and non-systemic issue .

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3. Speed & Transparency in Results

The COMELEC achieved a lightning-fast canvassing of 175 certificates within just three days, a sharp improvement over the 25 days it took in 2022 .
Garcia credited the acceleration to technology, tighter logistics, and the dedication of poll workers .

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4. Embracing Transparency Measures

For the first time, the election process incorporated multiple transparency servers, enabling real-time, cross-platform data validation—including ballot images and transmission logs with watchdog groups like PPCRV and Namfrel .
Garcia confirmed that Data Center 3 served only as a housing facility for these independent servers and was not used for result consolidation .

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5. Official Statements
• On disenfranchisement claims:
“There was no state‑sponsored disenfranchisement… Our constituents voted freely.”
• On overvoting:
“The 17 million ‘overvotes’ refer to unmarked votes across multiple positions. The issue is small and manageable.”
• On overseas internet voting:
GARcia noted low participation abroad (19% online, 32% via machine), stressing the need for user-friendly and secure digital systems for future votes .

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