Democracy's miracle

VIRTUAL REALITY

- TONY LOPEZ

Despite the odds, Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia produced a miracle for democracy in a large country like the Philippines.

The May 12, 2025 midterm elections were the most fair, the most transparent, the most inclusive and the most peaceful ever in one of Asia's largest democracies. Voter turnout was the largest in history – both in number of voters (57.35 million) and percentage (82.3 percent of 69.67 million voters).

The count was also the fastest in history. In just two hours, the nation knew the winners, especially the 12 senators who will occupy half of the 24 Senate seats in the 20th Congress, thanks to innovation and technology procured by the Commission. And Garcia's purposeful stewardship.

The high turnout means, Garcia says, more and more Filipinos have realized the power of their vote and the value of elections in securing a better tomorrow.

Remarkable was the huge turnout from the young, Millennials and Gen Z, often thought to be silent or busy with their private concerns. They went out and stood up for their right, for their future. They saw in their ballot its immense power to shape the present and lay the foundation for a better tomorrow.

Before joining Comelec, Garcia was considered the Philippines' preeminent election lawyer. In 20 years of legal prowess, he had for clients more than 200 mayors, 38 governors, 83 congressmen and Philippine presidents.

Moving forward, Chairman Garcia wants deeper electoral reforms – to curb vote buying, poll terrorism, dynastic rule and promote inclusion to enhance and strengthen democracy's finest rite – elections.

Presidential material