Manila: Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia announced that he is contemplating filing legal charges against individuals accusing him of accepting a PHP10 million payoff from former bodyguards of ex-congressman Zaldy Co. Garcia emphasized that he would pursue legal action only after the accusations are sworn under oath.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia highlighted the importance of sworn statements in pursuing charges such as perjury, which carries a possible punishment of up to six years and one day of imprisonment. He stated that without an oath, his legal options are limited to filing for oral defamation. "Because it is not under oath, we cannot charge them with what is called perjury," Garcia explained during an interview. He categorically denied the allegations, dismissing them as falsehoods aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

Garcia further speculated that the upcoming May 2028 elections might be a motivating factor behind the allegations. He expressed concern that the accusations could damage the institution's credibility. "The institution can be destroyed because of that demolition job," he remarked. The allegations surfaced after one of Co's former bodyguards claimed on Tuesday that a cash-filled bag containing PHP10 million was delivered to Garcia.