(UPDATE) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) turned 85 this week, and Chairman George Garcia used the occasion to remind Filipinos that while leaders may come and go, the integrity of the institution must endure.

“The institution will always outlast the individuals who lead it, and so our choices must be made with care,” Garcia said in his anniversary message as he emphasized the need for reforms that will preserve the public’s faith in the ballot.

Created in 1940 under President Manuel L. Quezon, the Comelec began as a three-man body tasked to insulate Philippine elections from partisan politics.

Over the decades, it has overseen some of the nation’s most pivotal moments — from the hotly contested elections of the post-war years, to the controversial 1986 polls that fueled the People Power Revolution, to the country’s transition to automated elections in 2010.

Garcia acknowledged that elections in the Philippines have always been “consequential,” often sparking hope but also provoking conflict, abuse, and even violence. Criticism of the poll body, he admitted, came with the territory.

“We accept this with humility, for it is only because elections matter so deeply that they invite such scrutiny,” he said. “With equal pride, we continue to embrace this responsibility, knowing that we have the unique opportunity to help preserve the people’s faith in democracy.”

The Comelec chief pointed to rising voter registration, record turnout, and strong public engagement in recent polls as signs that reforms are paying off. He described these developments as proof that “our democracy is becoming more participatory as more Filipinos are drawn to the electoral process.”

Comelec at 85: Garcia vows reforms

Quoting the late US senator Robert F. Kennedy, Garcia said history would judge how institutions used their power to improve the lives of citizens. For the Comelec, he said that judgment would go beyond simply holding elections — it rests on whether the body can guarantee fairness, expand access, curb abuse, and promote an informed electorate., This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com

“As we commemorate this anniversary, we honor not only the passage of years but also the milestones achieved, the challenges overcome, and the trust built across generations,” he said.

From ballot boxes guarded by soldiers in the 1940s to today’s automated machines, the Comelec’s role has remained central in shaping the nation’s political destiny. Garcia said the commission’s future hinges on building capacity, ensuring integrity, and safeguarding inclusivity.

“We do so with gratitude for those who came before us, with pride in what we have achieved together, and with confidence that the Commission on Elections will continue to strengthen the foundations of our democracy — not only today, but in the next 85 years and beyond,” he said.