2 Comelec executives take oath

MANILA, Philippines - Commissioner Elias Yusoph was named to a full seven-year term, while Commissioner Leonardo Leonida will serve for only two years, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Both Yusoph and Leonida took their oaths of office before Comelec Chairman Jose Melo and the other commissioners yesterday.

Melo said President Arroyo had appointed Yusoph to replace Commissioner Resurreccion Borra who retired in February 2007.

Yusoph will serve until 2015, he added.

Melo said Leonida was named to the Comelec last November to take over from Commissioner Romeo Brawner, who died in May last year.

Brawner’s term was set to expire in 2011, he added.

Melo said an ad interim appointment is done when Congress in on recess and allows the appointee to assume office pending confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Those given regular appointments when Congress is in session cannot start work unless the CA has confirmed his or her appointment, he added.

Melo said Leonida was named to replace Borra, and then came the appointment of Yusoph for Borra’s slot. 

“So Commissioner Leonida was given the term of Commissioner Brawner instead,” he said.

“None of us here would really be able to say why this came about. Go to the source (of the appointment papers).”    – Sheila Crisostomo