MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia defended his independence as head of the poll body, saying he has no political loyalties despite being appointed during the Duterte administration and previously serving as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s lawyer in an election protest.

Garcia made the statement as political tensions rise following recent developments that have emboldened supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Some critics have questioned Garcia’s impartiality due to his past associations with both Marcos and Duterte allies.

In an exclusive  interview with Republika News, Garcia rejected claims that he was biased toward Marcos, clarifying that he was not involved in Marcos’ 2022 campaign and instead worked with rival candidate Isko Moreno Domagoso.

“I’ve shown my fairness. Even though I was BBM’s lawyer in the protest, I wasn’t his lawyer during the elections—I was with Isko then,” Garcia said.

He said his decision to accept the Comelec commissioner post in 2021 stemmed from the difficult position he found himself in as a lawyer for several presidential hopefuls.

“I also served as counsel to Pacquiao, Ping Lacson, Isko, and BBM. Then there were talks of me going to Davao to meet with [then-Davao City Mayor] Inday Sara. I was really caught in the middle,” Garcia said. 

“When I was offered the commissioner post, I accepted it immediately so I wouldn’t be aligned with any camp.”

Garcia also detailed the timeline of his involvement with Marcos, emphasizing that their legal ties were limited to the electoral protest against former vice president Leni Robredo, which began after the 2016 polls.

“During the 2016 elections, I wasn’t BBM’s lawyer—I was with Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero. I was the one who helped Grace win her case before the Supreme Court,” Garcia said.

“It was only after that election, when President Duterte won, that BBM reached out to me to handle his protest,” he said.

Garcia, who was then dean of the College of Law at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, also recounted how Moreno had asked him to join his campaign, but he declined due to his ongoing work on Marcos’ protest case.

“Mayor Isko asked me if I could be part of his team. I told him I was still BBM’s lawyer—but not for the 2022 campaign,” he said. 

“Eventually, I joined Isko. And when BBM decided to run, his camp was upset with me. That’s why I was surprised I was even appointed, considering they were disappointed in me,” he said

Garcia said his diverse legal background—representing figures from across the political spectrum—proves he is committed to fairness.

“If I were truly partial to BBM, I wouldn’t have been caught in that situation. My actions have always been guided by professionalism, not politics,” Garcia said.