COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday dismissed an impeachment complaint filed against him, saying the allegations had been previously addressed.
Garcia was referring to the impeachment complaint filed before the House of Representatives by lawyers Aldrige Marvin Aceron and Sikini Labastilla. The complaint was based on Comelec's alleged use of a different source code in automated counting machines (ACMs), the presence of an unauthorized intermediary server, a single private IP address, and the systematic and selective implementation of campaign finance laws.
"These issues or accusations are not new and have been clarified repeatedly by the Comelec in a manner understandable to the public," he said, stressing that the commission would again respond for the benefit of the nation.
In a statement, Comelec maintained that the software used in the May 12, 2025, national and local elections underwent proper review and certification.
It said version 3.5.0 of the ACM source code was scrutinized during the local source code review and later certified by an independent international testing body.
The poll body also rejected claims of an "intermediary server," clarifying that the facility referred to as "Data Center 3" is not a server but a location housing five independent transparency servers operated by political parties, citizens' arms and media organizations.
These servers, Comelec said, receive election results directly from precinct-level machines.
On the issue of modems sharing a single private IP address during the 2022 elections, Comelec said the configuration complied with technical standards and had no impact on the accuracy or integrity of transmitted results.
"There is no legal requirement mandating unique IP addresses for each device," it pointed out.
The commission also denied allegations of bias in enforcing campaign finance laws, stressing that its decisions were grounded in existing laws and jurisprudence, as well as rulings of the Supreme Court.
It explained that Comelec's decisions in the cases of Sens. Francis Escudero and Rodante Marcoleta, concerning campaign donations, are supported by law.
It noted that the cases cited in the complaint remain under review and may still be elevated to the Supreme Court.
"These cases involving Senators Escudero and Marcoleta underwent very thorough study and discussion by various Comelec departments and offices before a decision was made. The process on these case issues is not yet final and can still be elevated to the Supreme Court," it said.
"There is no truth whatsoever to the allegation that the Comelec favors senators regarding the implementation of campaign finance laws. In fact, Comelec Chairman Garcia inhibited himself from two of these cases to avoid any conflict of interest and to ensure the investigation was unaffected until the results were released," it further said.
Comelec said it is prepared to face the impeachment complaint and reaffirmed its commitment to uphold "free, fair, honest, orderly, credible, and transparent elections."