2 Comelec execs, 3 Cabinet men get CA nod

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday confirmed two members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and three members of the Marcos Cabinet, just before Congress goes on a break this week.

Confirmed were Comelec Commissioners Nelson Celis and Ernesto Maceda Jr., as well as Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Also confirmed in speedy proceedings were 54 military generals and senior officers and two envoys – Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Natividad and Ambassador to Switzerland Bernard Dy.

A few hours before Celis’ confirmation, Sen. Risa Hontiveros quizzed the Comelec commissioner on plans to address rampant “fake news” during elections.

Hontiveros asked Celis for any “broad strokes” that they are preparing against misinformation and disinformation in time for the May 2025 midterm elections.

Celis, who leads the Comelec’s task force against fake news, said the poll body is planning to come up with a system to guide and inform the public on authentic sources of information about the elections.

He added that they would be inviting civil society groups, poll watchdogs and other stakeholders to discuss measures dealing with false information.

“This is an urgent and biding concern for our colleagues in civil society and even in the private sector... I really wish you the best moving forward in putting up that system to combat fake news,” Hontiveros told Celis.

The CA plenary proceedings became briefly emotional when Sen. Grace Poe endorsed Maceda’s confirmation.?

“My dear colleagues, nothing brings more comfort than seeing real practitioners rise above the ranks and get appointed to the top of their respective fields. It is certainly reassuring that we see an election law practitioner get appointed to the bench of Comelec,” Poe said, referring to Maceda.

The senator added that Maceda also has the makings of a great Comelec commissioner, having extensive experience in election law, a prolific academic background and a seasoned leadership perspective from leading various academic institutions.

Poe expressed gratitude to Maceda’s parents, the late Senate president Ernesto Maceda and Marichu Maceda who, she said, guided her during her younger days.

“Coincidentally, today marks the 18th death anniversary of my father, Fernando Poe Jr., and like FPJ, I know our nominee keeps his word. What we went through in 2004 at the Comelec and now Ernest, your appointment…,” Poe said without finishing her speech as she broke into tears.

It was later learned that Maceda’s mother helped in gathering documents to support the allegations by the FPJ camp of electoral fraud against then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In sponsoring the confirmation of Acuzar, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said the official’s qualifications go beyond his educational attainment.

“He was chosen because he possesses the experience necessary to lead a department that aims to shelter the less fortunate while balancing the business side of governance. His corporate endeavors perhaps contributed to his expertise in building houses but it is his understanding of the plight of the homeless that makes him the best person for the job,” Ejercito said, referring to Acuzar and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

“He himself had his own struggles when he was just a young man working his way through life. But hardships did not stop him from working hard to achieve his goals. He was more motivated and his humble beginnings have now become stuff of legend in the real estate industry,” Ejercito added.

Bautista, former president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, was grilled by CA members on air, land and water transportation woes of Filipinos.

Bautista, in response, said the Department of Transportation looks at working with local government units for the construction of bike lanes and walkways throughout the country.

He also expressed support for Ejercito’s proposed masterplan for infrastructure and transportation modernization.

Meanwhile, GP party-list Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos cited Balisacan, who heads the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), for his long experience and academic credentials in the field of economics.

“During these times of uncertainty, we need an economic leader who has the competence and experience and professional integrity… without a doubt, Secretary Balisacan qualifies for this position,” Padiernos said.

He added that in Balisacan’s first stint at the NEDA during the presidency of the late Benigno Aquino III, the Philippine economy grew at a pace not seen in many years.

Acuzar welcomed the CA’s confirmation of his ad interim appointment.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to all the members of the Commission on Appointments for trusting me to lead the housing sector,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

“I am grateful and honored for President Marcos’ trust and confidence,” he added.

Following his confirmation, Acuzar vowed to introduce “new and innovative approach” to achieve the administration’s goal of creating one million housing units per year or six million units by 2028 under the administration’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“The challenge to close the housing gap – building one million housing units per year – is daunting. Most find this ambitious, five times the average of previous administrations, but this is possible as long as we unite and work together,” he said.

“Five times the average – I also commit to work five times harder to achieve this,” he added.

Acuzar also thanked the DHSUD personnel and its attached agencies for “their hard work despite the odds.”

“We introduced a new and innovative approach to fulfill our President’s commitment to provide a home for every Filipino family. As I always say, this is not easy, but I am very grateful to the men and women of DHSUD – all our officials and employees – who I know are exhausting all efforts just to make things happen to ensure the housing program’s success,” he said.

Complete

The seven-man Comelec is now complete after the CA’s confirmation of Celis and Maceda.

“We’re now complete, not only the en banc, but more so in two divisions. Resolution of more cases can be assigned and divided among them,” Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco told reporters in a Viber message partly in Filipino yesterday when asked on the significance of the confirmation of Maceda and Celis.

Laudiangco added that the administrative and operations phases of their mandate “can likewise be distributed more evenly, efficiently and effectively, wherein a commissioner-in-charge can be designated to head a standing or working committee, or a task force.”

For Comelec Chairman George Garcia, they are now like a complete family that can easily and swiftly resolve election-related cases.

“A complete family is one that is strong. We can resolve many cases and the value of the vote of every Filipino can be assured,” Garcia said in Filipino.

Aside from Garcia, Maceda and Celis are two of the three Marcos appointees, completing the Comelec en banc with Commissioners Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino and Rey Bulay.

Maceda and Celis will serve in the Comelec until Feb. 2, 2029. They both thanked the CA for confirming their respective appointments to the poll body. – Elizabeth Marcelo, Robertzon Ramirez, Sheila Crisostomo