Palace: Comelec to function well despite vacancies

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang expressed confidence that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be able to function well even though it still lacks a chairman and two commissioners.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President has yet to receive a short list of candidates from the search committee to fill up the vacancies in the Comelec.

The President had earlier appointed former Supreme Court justice Jose Melo as the new chairman of the Comelec following the retirement of former chairman Benjamin Abalos late last year.

However, Melo has refused to assume his post until he has been confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

Last Feb. 2, commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason Jr. also retired, leaving two other positions vacant.

Ermita said there should be no cause for concern about the Comelec not being able to function with just four officials currently on board.

“The vacancy in the Comelec has been there for some time. There will be elections come August in the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) but they are able to function,” Ermita said.

Comelec Commissioner Romeo Brawner has been designated as the acting chairman. The three other commissioners are Nicodemo Ferrer, Moslemen Macarambon and Rene Sarmiento.

“Let’s hope that soon enough the search committee would be able to submit a short list to the President for her consideration for the appointment of other vacancies,” Ermita said.

Under the law, the President has 90 days from the time of the retirement of a Comelec official to come up with an appointment.

In the case of Melo, the Commission on Appointments was not able to take up his nomination before Congress adjourned.

“With Congress having gone on recess without passing on the confirmation of Chairman Melo, then it became necessary for the President to re-issue a nomination of Chairman Melo for consideration when they come back,” Ermita said.