‘2 Comelec appointees under Palace scrutiny’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has started interviewing possible replacements for two retiring poll commissioners as part of the vetting process ahead of the midterm elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia announced yesterday.

“I’m happy with the lineup of possible appointees to the Comelec,” Garcia said.

He did not name the candidates for the positions to be vacated by Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Socorro Inting, who are set to retire on Feb. 2.

“I am appealing for the immediate appointment of replacements for the two commissioners after their retirement and the adjournment of Congress,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he would prefer having “insiders” appointed to the poll body.

“As much as possible, they should be from the main or field offices of the Comelec. And at least, a male and a female, so there will be balance,” he said.

Garcia said Malacañang may also opt to name an ad interim commissioner who can buckle down to work immediately.

“A regular appointee requires Congress confirmation to be able to work immediately,” he pointed out.

Congress will adjourn on Feb. 8 to give way to the campaign period. Session resumes on June 2.

Garcia assured the public that there will be no disruptions in election preparations despite the retirement of the two commissioners.

Suspend Oplan Katok

Meanwhile, Garcia appealed for the suspension of the door-to-door campaign or Oplan Katok of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against unlicensed firearms.

“I guess during this period, it’s OK to suspend it. They can knock on doors again after the election period,” the poll chief said.

Garcia said the Comelec would not arbitrarily suspend the campaign without discussing the matter with the PNP.

Reacting to Garcia’s appeal, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Oplan Katok is a regular function of the police force to account for firearms with expired licenses.

“It’s ongoing. It’s not prohibited because it’s part of our normal duty. It’s the job of the PNP to account for all firearms,” he said.

Marbil assured the Comelec that the program is not meant to harass people as the campaign is focused on gun owners whose licenses have expired.

“We only knock on the doors of people with unregistered firearms,” Marbil told reporters on the sidelines of the PNP Day celebration at Camp Crame.

Rosmar withdraws candidacy for councilor

Meanwhile, social media personality and entrepreneur Rosemarie “Rosmar” Tan Pamulaklakin has withdrawn her candidacy for councilor of Manila’s first district.

Pamulaklakin went to the Comelec local office yesterday to submit her statement of withdrawal.

She said she opted to withdraw her candidacy after the Food and Drug Administration flagged two of her skin care products for being unregistered. – Emmanuel Tupas