UNA bets ok with outsiders for Comelec post

MANILA, Philippines - Senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) do not mind if outsiders are appointed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provided they have clean records.

“(The Comelec commissioner should be) competent, should have a clean track record, and subordinate to the ultimate objective of clean, credible, free, and honest elections, which is crucial to our democracy,” Sen. Gringo Honasan told reporters in Pasay on Thursday.

“Whatever it takes, insider or outsider, they should be governed by certain standards,” he added.

Honasan also would not mind if someone close to Malacañang is given a Comelec post since the appointment would face scrutiny.

“Whoever will be appointed will face the Commission on Appointments,” he said.

Honasan was asked to react to Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes’ recent statement that he prefers an insider to be the next commissioner of the poll body. 

Brillantes said an insider already knows the nature and demands of the work.

Two seats in the Comelec remain unfilled after the two new appointees declined to accept their posts.

Lawyer Maria Bernadette Sardillo declined her appointment as Comelec commissioner due to health concerns of a family member.

The other appointee, former Lanao del Norte Rep. Macabangkit Lanto declined the post amid allegations that he was involved in a poll fraud about 20 years ago.

Lanto and Sardillo were supposed to fill in the slots vacated by former commissioners Armando Velasco and Rene Sarmiento who retired recently.

UNA senatorial bet Nancy Binay said: “The number one criteria is (the appointee) must be fair and without bias when it comes to clean and honest election.”

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay noted that hiring an insider has advantages given that the May 13 election is drawing near. She, however, is open to outsiders who are capable of doing the job.

“I’m not averse to anybody entering Comelec, even non-insider as long as he has a good track record,” she said.