Comelec reshuffles 12 key officials

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has implemented a reshuffle of its 12 key officials, including three of the so-called “Garci boys,” amid an investigation to be conducted on cheating in the 2004 and 2007 polls.

Lawyer Rey Sumalipao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) director, replaced lawyer Renato Magbutay as director for Northern Mindanao; the latter, in turn, was assigned as director for the Davao region.

Lawyer Francisco Pobe, Caraga regional director, was transferred to the Socsksargen (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) area.

The three were associated with former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, tagged in the “Hello, Garci” wiretap controversy.

The other regional directors affected by the reshuffle are lawyer Helen Aguila-Flores who was moved from the Zamboanga Peninsula to become acting director of the Comelec’s Planning Department; lawyer Remlane Tambuan who was transferred from Davao to ARMM; and lawyer Michael Abas, who was brought to the Zamboanga Peninsula from the Socsksargen. Lawyer Roland Edayan, Caraga assistant director, was named acting director of the same region.

Their temporary assignments took effect last Aug. 1 and would end on Jan. 31 next year.

Affected by the reshuffle in the main office is lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan who was relieved as director of the Law Department to concentrate on the poll fraud investigation by a joint Comelec-Department of Justice panel. Commissioner Rene Sarmiento replaced him in an acting capacity.

Planning Department director Esmeralda Amora-Ladra was appointed acting deputy executive director for administration, while Electoral Contests Adjudication Department (ECAD) assistant director Allen Francis Abaya was assigned to the Law Department.

The Law Department’s assistant director, Josslyn de Mesa, now joins the ECAD, while Finance Services Department assistant director Gideon de Guzman is now with the chairman’s office and the Planning Department.

These latter assignments will end on Oct. 31.