MANILA, Philippines — The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Monday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to make public shortlisted candidates for the three vacant posts at the helm of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and ensure an “open and transparent” appointment process.
“NAMFREL enjoins President Rodrigo R. Duterte to make public its shortlisted candidates, and to invite ordinary citizens to present comments, inputs, and personal information on the candidates, before the Office of the President makes the final decision on the appointments, to ensure transparency in the process and to help identify the most qualified and competent appointees,” the group said in a statement.
Namfrel said their call is “urgent” considering that the May 9 elections are less than three months away and will be held “under extreme safety and health challenges.”
“An open process will help reinforce public trust to the Comelec as an institution,” Namfrel added.
Further, Namfrel said a “transparent appointment process, with focus on qualifications and suitability for the job, will help dispel concerns that the Comelec as a constitutional body will be composed of individuals that only come from the President’s hometown, or who are inside the President’s inner circle.”
“As the steward of the Philippine election process, the Comelec should be strengthened, and should invite the trust and respect of the Filipino people,” Namfrel said.
“Namfrel believes that by ensuring that the appointment process will be open and transparent, the President will leave a lasting legacy of a strong, independent, and credible Commission on Elections,” it added.
Then Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. retired earlier this month, leaving three important posts vacant three months before the elections.,