Comelec commissioners told to resolve pending cases in former divisions in 45 days

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered its commissioners to resolve pending cases raffled to them in the former divisions within 45 days.

Resolution No. 10765 promulgated on February 23 states that within 45 days from the retirement of a commissioner, member-commissioners of the former divisions shall complete the resolution of cases previously raffled to the remaining members as ponente.

“Provided that for the year 2022, the forty-five-day period shall be reckoned from the effectivity of this Resolution,” the document read.

All pending cases assigned to the retired chairperson or commissioners shall be inventoried and raffled among the remaining members of the Commission en banc or the former divisions, unless otherwise directed by the chairperson or presiding commissioner.

“After the expiration of the forty-five-day period or upon the assumption to office and designation as members of the regular divisions of new Commissioners, whichever comes first, the Former First Division and Former Second Division shall be automatically dissolved,” the resolution added.

If a commissioner is reassigned to another division, he or she shall bring the pending cases previously raffled to him or her as ponente to the regular division where he or she is reassigned.

Comelec said the provisions of the resolution are deemed applicable to similar situations after its effectivity.

The resolution takes effect immediately upon publication.

Earlier this month, the Comelec reshuffled the membership of its two divisions following the retirement of former Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr.

READ: Marcos’ disqualification cases remain at Comelec’s First Division

According to the Comelec, acting chairperson Socorro Inting will preside over the new first division, with Commissioner Aimee Ferolino as member. Meanwhile, the new second division will be presided by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, with Commissioner Rey Bulay as a member.

Meanwhile, the former first division is composed of Casquejo as presiding commissioner and Ferolino as member, while the former second division is composed of Inting as presiding commissioner and Bulay as member.

je