Comelec: Expect more cases to be resolved; commits to settling expeditiously
By Dhel Nazario
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia vowed that they will commit to resolving pending election cases expeditiously.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 3, Garcia stated that last year, the poll body released resolutions resolving election cases, including those involving high-profile candidates that caught the attention of the media and the public.
"Maaaring ito lang 'yung mga naha-highlight na nailabas ng Comelec na mga decision sapagkat matataas yung position, pero marami rin kaming nailabas na mga mayors na dinisqualify din ng Comelec sa Division level at even sa en banc, and umasa kayo na marami pang susunod (Maybe these resolved are what were highlighted because it involved high-ranking officials, but there were also mayors disqualified by Comelec at the division level and even by the en banc and the public should expect more)," Garcia said.
Garcia added that included for resolution are hand-me-down cases filed as far back as years 2013 and 2016 that are thousands, wherein Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE)-related cases alone account for about 3,000.
"Asahan nyo po, when the Comelec decides cases, the Comelec decides cases based on the facts as presented and the law as applicable to it...it stands the test of all scrutiny, even by the Supreme Court. Kasi sadyang pinag-aralan po nang mabuti 'yan," Garcia reiterated.
Meanwhile, Garcia on Tuesday (Jan. 3), along with all the commissioners, signed a resolution dismissing almost 2,000 election offense cases filed from years 2007 to 2013.
"This meticulous deed by the en banc was addressed to fully satisfy the Constitutional rights of the accused," Comelec said in a statement.
In the elections ahead, the COMELEC, as part of its procedure, will be hearing cases filed with regard to nuisance candidates directly at the en banc level for a swift resolution.