LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – President Aquino admitted here yesterday that he was not aware of the 10-year law practice requirement before a lawyer could be appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner, saying that new poll commissioner Al Parreño was just recommended to him.
“That’s news to me. Let me check that,†he told reporters as he pointed to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as one of the many people he consulted, along with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, a veteran election lawyer. “Mar and others. I consulted a wide range of people, among them Secretary De Lima, who is an acknowledged election law practitioner; the chief presidential legal counsel, the executive secretary – obviously, they’re all lawyers,†Aquino said.
“These would be people that they would know of, or have heard of, or would know the performance of. I’m not a lawyer. So they are not in my circle of people that I normally deal with,†he explained further.
“The most important is the people who are more competent in coming up with advice were consulted. So, we tried our very best to try and talk to as broad a segment of society to be able to come up with the best,†Aquino added.
Aquino appointed as new Comelec commissioners Parreño, a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and another lawyer Louie Tito Guia, acting director of the poll watchdog group Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE).
Parreño and Guia filled the positions vacated by Armand Velasco and Rene Sarmiento, who both retired.
The new poll commissioners were appointed after election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo and former ambassador and Lanao del Norte Rep. Macabangkit Lanto declined their appointments.
Malacañang defended the appointment of Parreño, arguing that his law practice was not the main consideration in choosing him for the position.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Parreño was named to the poll body because of his strong information technology (IT) background and expertise.
“Being a lawyer is just a bonus. Since he is short of two years to meet the 10-year requirement, he will fall under the other category, which is allowed under the Constitution. The present composition of the Comelec complies with the minimum set by Section 1 (1) of Article IX (C) of the 1987 Constitution,†she said.
There were questions on Parreño’s appointment because he had yet to practice law for 10 years.
Former Isabela governor Grace Padaca, also appointed Comelec commissioner, is not a lawyer.
The law states that commissioners should be at least 35 years old, holders of a college degree, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the immediately preceding elections.
The law also states that a majority of the commissioners should be lawyers with 10 years experience in the legal profession.
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said yesterday Parreño is qualified to become poll commissioner.
But Brillantes noted that Parreño would be considered as a non-lawyer at the Comelec since he has been practicing law for less than 10 years.
“We did check that he became a lawyer in 2004, so that’s nine years ago. That’s right that he has not met the 10-year requirement. But a non-lawyer can be appointed as long as the majority are lawyers,†he added.
Brillantes made the statement after Polytechnic University of the Philippines-College of Law professor Rod Vera reportedly claimed that Parreño’s appointment might be unconstitutional since he has not met the 10-year requirement as lawyer. – Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica, Alexis Romero, Sheila Crisostomo, Jun Elias