Bongbong Marcos ‘appreciative’ of CA gesture to allow him to pick Comelec, CSC, COA officials

MANILA, Philippines — President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “appreciative of the gesture” allowing him to pick the officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Commission on Audit (COA).

The statement was issued after the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) bypassed the confirmation of the officials appointed by outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, which makes way for Marcos Jr. to have his pick for these positions.

On Wednesday, Marcos Jr.’s designated press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that while they have no information yet whether the officials will be reappointed under the incoming administration, they appreciate the gesture of having Marcos pick the officials.

“We have no information as to whether or not they will be reappointed,” Cruz-Angeles said in a public briefing when asked if Marcos Jr. is keen on reappointing the said officials.

“We are only appreciative of the gesture that the President-elect’s opinion or choices on the officials are taken into consideration,” she added.

The CA bypassed the confirmation of three top Comelec officials, namely Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan and Commissioners George Garcia and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri.

The ad interim appointments of COA chairperson Rizalina Justol and CSC chairman Karlo Nograles likewise did not pass the CA.

Because of this, their appointments will only be effective until June 30, Duterte’s last day in office.

They can still be appointed by the incoming president since they were not rejected by the CA, but were merely bypassed.

READ: CA bypasses Duterte-appointed Comelec chair, 2 poll commissioners

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