Comelec men back Benipayo confirmation

Almost half of the 5,281 officials and employees of the Commission on Elections sent a manifesto yesterday to the Commission on Appointments (CA), backing the confirmation of Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason Jr.

However, Surigao del Norte Rep. Prospero Pichay, chairman of the House committee on national defense, said in a statement yesterday Benipayo must answer the issues raised against him before the CA.

"The Comelec chairman should directly address the issues raised in the CA report, which delve on his alleged instances of immoral conduct, unexplained wealth, and repeated failure to observe Comelec procedures and collegial rule," read Pichay’s statement. "The report has been affirmed by CA member Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta as forming part of the CA’s official body of documents."

In the manifesto, the Comelec officials and employees said they believe in Benipayo’s, Borra’s and Tuason’s vision of a "modernized" Comelec.

"We believe that the means by which they propose to pursue the modernization of the commission are realistic, doable and beneficial both to the government and the commission, guided by the overriding objective of judiciously expending public funds," read an excerpt from the manifesto.

"We believe that the modernization agenda laid out for the commission is both holistic and sustainable. We believe that the policies are just tempered with sincere compassion which contribute to a healthy working atmosphere auguring well for the future of the institution."

The officials and employees said Benipayo, Borra and Tuason are working for the good of the country in general, and in particular for the betterment of the men and women of the poll body.

"With Benipayo at the helm of the commission and with the unwavering support of Borra and Tolentino, the commission will live up to the dearly held ideal of free, honest, peaceful and credible elections," read an excerpt from the manifesto.

Pichay warned Benipayo against using "squid tactics" to allude that a smear campaign is being launched against him to derail the CA’s confirmation of his appointment.

"The chairman is crying wolf about a smear campaign against him, allegedly coming from his co-commissioners at the Comelec," read a part of the statement.