EDITORIAL - Restoring integrity

As the 2010 elections approach, Chairman Jose Melo of the Commission on Elections says he is steering clear of politicians as part of his efforts to preserve the integrity of the poll body. With thousands of politicians nationwide, Melo may have to cloister himself like a hermit and hire someone to screen all his calls. Ringing up Comelec officials to inquire about their votes is not unusual for candidates in this country, regardless of political affiliation.

Former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, under fire in 2005 for phone conversations with someone believed to be President Arroyo, returned to the country after several months in hiding and threatened to name opposition politicians who had also asked him about their votes. Lawmakers immediately lost interest in pursuing the “Hello, Garci” investigation.

Melo probably had this episode in mind when he decided to stay away from politicians. He is also taking away the authority of Comelec commissioners to proclaim, on their own, winners in local elections. In 2010, all the proclamations will have to be done by the entire commission. This won’t be as complicated as it seems if poll automation is implemented without a hitch.

The Comelec chief is not going to be liked by politicians, but this shouldn’t be a problem for someone who does not intend to enter politics himself, and does not intend to ask favors from politicians. Melo took over a commission whose credibility was in tatters after his predecessor was accused of brokering the $329-million national broadband network contract between China’s ZTE Corp. and the Department of Transportation and Communications. Benjamin Abalos was forced to resign as Comelec chairman just a few months before the end of his tenure.

From the start Melo tried to restore the independence and integrity of the Comelec. He refused to assume his post before his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, but was prevailed upon to do so by Comelec officials who said work was piling up because the commission lacked a quorum. Melo also received criticism for the stringent requirements he imposed in the bidding for the automation project, which he wanted to be as transparent as possible. Certain quarters are still warning that automation could fail. The national security adviser himself seems to smell trouble, asking Chief Justice Reynato Puno if he would be willing to head a transition government in case of a failure of elections. It is up to Melo and his team to make sure such doomsday scenarios do not come to pass.