MANILA – Newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Erwin Garcia on Thursday said he will inhibit from cases which he handled prior to being named as an official of the poll body.

In a phone interview, Garcia said this is to protect the integrity of the commission.

“Of course, that’s an ethical consideration. You don’t need someone to file anything or convince you. Of course, there is a previous relationship with clients, you have to inhibit and do not participate. Because somehow your decision or action will be given color,” he added.

Garcia, a veteran election lawyer, said he made this decision on his own and that no one forced or encouraged him to do it.

“Voluntary and from the very beginning, I said immediately that I’m going to inhibit from all cases that I handle. Although I don’t handle any (cases) presently, I have previous relationships with parties (so) I will definitely inhibit,” the poll body official added.

He reported that in the Comelec, there are cases with the Clerk of Court, Electoral Contests Adjudication Department (ECAD), and Law Department.

“Just more or less 300 cases. There is more in the Supreme Court, Presidential Electoral Tribunal. I have already withdrawn from the Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. case there and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal,” he added.

Garcia, fellow commissioner Aimee Neri and newly-appointed chairperson Saidamen Balt Pangarungan officially assumed their posts on Wednesday.

Garcia and Neri replaced retired Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr. Pangarungan, meanwhile, succeeded retired chairperson Sheriff Abas.

Their appointments completed the seven-member Comelec en banc.

The other members are Commissioners Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay. (PNA)