Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (PPAB)

The 2028 presidential contestis still a good five years away, but Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. says those aiming for the Palace seat are already jockeying for position. 

Barzaga, a veteran stalwart of the National Unity Party (NUP), mentioned this out loud during the House Committee on Appropriations' on the 2024 budget of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

"We have to admit the fact that right now, we are already seeing the positioning of some presidential aspirants," the lawyer-congressman said. 

This casual line was part of Barzaga's question to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, who the former said would remain the chairman up to 2029. 

"Based on your appointment, you will serve as chairman of the Comelec up to Feb. 2, 2029?" the Cavite solon said, to which his fellow lawyer Garcia answered, "That's right, Mr. Chair." 

"So do you think there will be no pressure [on] you insofar as all these elections are concerned?" Barzaga said, as he noted the positioning of so-called "presidentiables". He didn't mentioned mention any potential candidates' name. 

Garcia said he was aware of the pressure, but insisted that he signed up for it. 

"Mr. Chair, I accepted this position knowing fully well that there will be a lot of pressures. But nobody is given that opportunity to serve in government that much. That's why I took this chance," he said. 

He said he took on the job despite a knowing lawyering in private was more financially rewarding. 

Before the 2028 national elections, which will host the Palace race, Comelec would have to conduct first the 2025 local elections. The poll body is also mandated to organize the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Barzaga is the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources in the ongoing 19th Congress.