2 Comelec seats vacant because of curse?

MANILA, Philippines - Is there a curse at the Commission on Elections (Comelec)?

Chairman Sixto Brillantes said one of his nominees for commissioner fell ill, while another died in a road accident.

There are at present two vacancies in the seven-member commission.

Speaking to reporters, Brillantes said human rights lawyer and Legal Network for Truthful Election co-convenor Carlos Medina Jr. had suffered from aneurysm of the brain two weeks ago.

“Choy Medina was prominently mentioned but he is now in the ICU (of a hospital),” he added.

Medina was nominated by various poll watchdogs and civil society groups, including the Consortium on Electoral Reforms; Bishop Businessman’s Conference; Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace; Makati Business Club; Management Association of the Philippines and National Movement for Free Elections.

Another nominee, Judicial and Bar Council member Jay Castro, died in a car accident in Mandaluyong City over the weekend.

“Maybe no one will be interested anymore in the positions because those who applied got sick or died,” he said.

Brillantes said he too is in limbo, unsure whether President Aquino would re-appoint him.

“This may be my last day if I will not be given a re-appointment by Malacañang,” he said. 

Brillantes said his term of office ends today, coinciding with the adjournment of Congress. “If on Monday you don’t see me here, that means I was not reappointed,” he said.

Brillantes said he does not want to ask Aquino, but he may ask some people in Malacañang about his status.          

“If I won’t be re-appointed, I will go back to (law) practice and mess with the Comelec,” he said.

“I may also retire and go to America to be with my grandchild.”