Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to full transparency and due process as it prepares to issue a Show Cause Order (SCO) to Senator Rodante Marcoleta regarding questions on campaign donations.

Chairman Garcia stressed that the SCO is not a penalty, but an avenue to allow the concerned party to explain his side clearly and officially.

“Mag-iisyu ang COMELEC ng Show Cause Order para magkaroon din ng venue ang ating butihing senador na makapagpaliwanag,” Garcia said.

“Mahirap na sa social media, kasama na rin ang COMELEC. Baka akala hindi kami umaaksyon.”

He reiterated that for the Commission, the priority is clarity, not accusation.

“In the meantime, hindi muna ‘yung liability ang tinitingnan ng COMELEC. Ano ba ang paliwanag? Ano ang kadahilanan? Babalansehin namin ang ebidensiya as against sa hawak namin na dokumento,” he explained.

The COMELEC will review all submissions to determine objectively whether there is basis to file a case or to simply set aside the issue if no violation is found.

“Walang Exemption”: Donations Must Always Be Declared

Chairman Garcia was firm in reminding candidates and public officials that all campaign donations, especially those received during the campaign period, must be fully declared, without exception.

“As far as the COMELEC is concerned, wala talagang exemption doon,” he emphasized.

“Dapat ilalatag lahat. Ano pa ang purpose ng publication, ng submission sa amin, at ng panunumpa kung meron naman tayong hindi ilalagay?”

Garcia highlighted that undeclared donations undermine the integrity of the electoral process and defeat the purpose of campaign finance laws intended to ensure fairness and transparency.

BARMM Parliamentary Elections: COMELEC Awaits Districting Law

The COMELEC Chairman also discussed the situation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where uncertainty remains due to the pending districting law required for the 2025–2026 electoral calendar.

Although the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is aware of the November 30, 2025 deadline, the law has yet to be passed.

“Unfortunately, naghihintay pa rin po tayo ngayon sa balita kung maipapasa ang districting law,” Garcia said.

“Alam ng BTA na kinakailangang may batas na bago mag–November 30 dahil kailangan magsimula ng filing of candidacy pagpasok ng Enero.”

Without a districting law, COMELEC warns that it will not have enough time to prepare, especially since the BARMM polls are planned to be an automated election, requiring longer preparation and more technical deployment.

A Commitment to Integrity

Throughout his message, Chairman Garcia emphasized that transparency and accountability guide every COMELEC action, whether in addressing allegations involving a senator or ensuring a smooth electoral process in BARMM.

His assurance was clear:

“Para sa katiwasayan ng lahat… gagawin po namin ‘yon. At asahan ninyo po, sa mga susunod na araw, ma-iisyu na ang Show Cause Order.”

With these statements, COMELEC under Chairman Garcia reiterates its mandate: to uphold fair elections, protect due process, and maintain public trust, no exceptions, no shortcuts.

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