Virgilio Garcillano
 | This article needs to be updated. (November 2010) |
Virgilio Garcillano | |
|---|---|
| Commissioner of the Commission on Elections | |
| In office February 12, 2004 – June 10, 2005 | |
| Appointed by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Virgilio Olivar Garcillano July 5, 1937 |
| Died | March 29, 2025 (aged 87) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | University of the East (BA, LL.B.) |
| Profession | Lawyer, public Servant, politician |
Virgilio Olivar Garcillano (July 5, 1937[1][2] – March 29, 2025), also known as Gil and Garci,[3][4][A] was an official of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) who allegedly was involved in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's alleged electoral fraud in the Hello Garci scandal.
Education
[edit]Garcillano was a 1960 law graduate from the University of the East. He obtained trainings—platoon leaders course from the Philippine Army School Command, and career executive development program from the Development Academy of the Philippines.[5]
Career in the Comelec
[edit]Garcillano spent his career at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) beginning in 1961, when he first worked as a special attorney,[5] until becoming the regional director in Northern Mindanao[5] until his retirement in 2002.[6]
In February 2004, Garcillano and Philippine Postal Corporation president Manuel Barcelona Jr. were appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Comelec commissioners, ad interim;[6] replacing Ralph Lantion and Luzviminda Tancangco whose terms had expired, and becoming the fourth and fifth Arroyo-appointed officials of the seven-member commission.[5][7] At that time, the Congress—where some of its members composes the Commission on Appointments (CA)—had been on recess for the May elections.[7] Garcillano was first tasked by chairperson Benjamin Abalos to supervise the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other parts of Mindanao in the elections, but was transferred to the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions following allegations of his involvement in past election irregularities.[7]
However in 2005, at the time there had been news reports on what would be called the "Hello Garci" scandal where Garcillano was implicated, their appointments lapsed on June 10 after they were bypassed by the CA; no further re-appointments were issued.[8][9] Moreover, there were reports that Garcillano resigned[10] and had left the Comelec by said date.[8]
Opposition to his appointment
[edit]Garcillano's appointment was opposed by some senators, including its president Franklin Drilon. Sen. Edgardo Angara called both appointments unconstitutional; meanwhile, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said that the two can actually legally assume office pending confirmation by the CA, citing a 2002 court case.[6]
The oppositionist Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), suspecting the administration was attempting to prevent the victory of the coalition's then presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.—also an Arroyo's opponent, likewise sought the recall of the two which, along with another commissioner, Florentino Tuason, supported a petition seeking Poe's disqualification on citizenship grounds. The petition had been rejected by the Comelec and later appealed to the Supreme Court.[7]
Controversies
[edit]Prior allegations
[edit]Following his appointment as Comelec commissioner, Garcillano was accused by then re-electionst Sen. Nene Pimentel of the KNP, of electoral fraud that resulted to his loss in the 1995 senatorial election.[7] Among those allegations were the registration of fake voters in Northern Mindanao which he denied;[6] as well as his involvement in dagdag-bawas (vote padding and shaving) operations[3] and in the distribution of cash to Comelec officials from the ARMM in previous elections,[3] particularly the turnover of ₱1.5 million in a hotel in Cagayan de Oro sometime.[7] Pimentel, in a letter to Drilon and Angara, asked for an inquiry to investigate the two appointees for alleged ties with the First Gentleman.[7]
Hello Garci case
[edit]Garcillano became one of the subjects of the so-called "Hello Garci scandal", a case involving allegations of electoral fraud which led to the presidential victory of Arroyo in the 2004 elections.[3] Arroyo had defeated popular actor Poe.[3][11]
The controversy stemmed from a 2005 exposé of the phone conversation, reportedly wiretapped by the opposition,[4] allegedly between Arroyo—an incumbent seeking a six-year term,[12] and Garcillano—then COMELEC vice chair for personnel,[13] wherein the latter was instructed to ensure her at least a million vote margin[11] by manipulating the results in Mindanao.[10] This revealed the alleged complicity of Comelec, military and Malacañang officials.[3][12]
Despite the accusations, Arroyo, in an address, admitted being the one talking to a Comelec official while monitoring her votes,[12] denied giving such order to Garcillano,[13] and later publicly apologized.[3][12] Meanwhile, at the height of the controversy, Garcillano reportedly secretly left the country[11] and was seen overseas;[12] but reappeared later that year in a joint congressional hearing.[12] He later went into hiding in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, for over a month until his appearance in December 2006 somewhere in Maguindanao.[11]
In a 2005 hearing,[12] and since his first media interview in Bukidnon after the controversy,[11] Garcillano admitted talking about the election tally,[10] but denied the manipulation.[10][11] He maintained being a victim in the controversy, claiming there was "no such thing as Hello Garci" because the president used to call him either "Comm" or "Commissioner;"[1][A] and the tapes, which he later described as "baloney,"[10] were fabricated by his critics.[1] Shortly after the end of the Arroyo presidency in 2010, in an interview with GMA's 24 Oras at his farm, he added that he regretted joining the Comelec due to the scandal.[10]
The scandal remained both one of the largest in the Arroyo administration,[3] and one of those unresolved.[11] Those involved, including Garcillano, were never charged as the five-year prescription period for the filing of cases lapsed.[12]
Perjury case
[edit]In March 2014, the Ombudsman indicted Garcillano of perjury, referring to his statements in a 2005 congressional hearing denying trying to evade the inquiry and going overseas. It was found that Garcillano presented counterfeit passport, and went to London through Changi Airport in Singapore.[12]
Attempt in politics
[edit]In 2007, Garcillano ran as an independent for congressman of the first district of Bukidnon,[3] but later conceded defeat while arguing being "defeated by black propaganda."[4] He eventually placed third.[14]
Personal life and death
[edit]Garcillano lived privately in Bukidnon since his failed congressional bid, mostly in his farmhouse, which also served as his retirement home, in Baungon. In mid-July 2011, TV5 reported that Garcillano was no longer in his Baungon farmhouse, but had moved to another location but "still in the foothills of Mount Kitanglad".[11]
On September 12, 2007, Garcillano was treated at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center in Santa Cruz, Manila after a biopsy due to prostate disease.[15]
Garcillano was married to Grace and died at the age of 86 in his residence in Baungon on March 29, 2025.[13]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Q and A with Virgilio Garcillano" — Three-part article by Carolyn Arguillas of MindaNews:
- "Part 1: No such thing as 'Hello Garci;' she called me 'Hello Comm'". May 9, 2007.
- "Part 2: I was trying to espouse reforms". May 11, 2007.
- "Part 3: Was there anybody who asked me to cheat for them?". May 12, 2007.
- ^ Baroña, Franco Jose (March 30, 2025). "Former Comelec commissioner Garcillano dies at 87". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Garci files candidacy for Bukidnon congressman". GMA News Online. March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c Israel, Ulysses (May 17, 2007). "Arroyo's alleged vote fixer concedes defeat". Gulf News. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Marfil, Martin; Cabacungan, Gil Jr. (February 12, 2004). "Be impartial, new Comelec execs told". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati: PDI, Inc. p. A3. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Diaz, Jess (February 13, 2004). "Recall Garcillano appointment, GMA asked". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Villanueva, Marichu (February 19, 2004). "GMA to withdraw Garcillano appointment if…". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Punongbayan, Michael; Diaz, Jess; Jaymalin, Mayen (June 17, 2005). "Comelec chief tells Garcillano not to seek reappointment". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ Felongco, Gilbert (June 16, 2005). "Election official involved in wire-tapping row dropped". Gulf News. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Al Nisr Publishing. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Crisostomo, Sheila (July 3, 2010). "Garcillano: There is no 'Garci'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ellorin, BenCyrus (July 21, 2011). "Garci still in Bukidnon". MindaNews. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Editorial — Man that got away". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 28, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c Magsambol, Bonz; Gallardo, Froilan (March 30, 2025). "Ex-Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano dies". Rappler. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
- ^ "Mindanao after May 14: new offices for same faces". MindaNews. May 23, 2007. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ GMA NEWS.TV, Garcillano leaves Manila hospital after biopsy
