MANILA, Philippines — While accepting the move of Commission on Appointments (CA) to bypass his confirmation, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Saidamen Pangarungan believes that he would have been confirmed “had there been a quorum.”
Pangarungan made the statement Wednesday, as he cited the achievements of Comelec in the May 9 national and local elections.
“I and my Comelec officialdom have successfully defended the sovereign right of suffrage of the Filipino people,” the chairman stressed, citing the highest voter turnout in Philippine election history at 83.07 percent, the record-breaking speed of election results transmission, and the fastest proclamation of elected officials, among others.
READ: Comelec exec: 2022 polls voter turnout highest for automated elections in PH history
“Because of these, I believe that I would have been confirmed by the CA had there been a quorum,” Pangarungan, an appointee of outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte, added.
A quorum is the minimum required number of lawmakers who should be present before a meeting or a hearing can proceed.
For Wednesday’s CA hearing, only eight lawmakers were in attendance.
Since Pangarungan was bypassed, his ad interim appointment will only be effective until June 30 or until Duterte’s last day in office.
However, Pangarungan could still be appointed by President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. since the chairman was not rejected by the CA, but was merely bypassed.
“It is with a heavy heart that I accept such outcome but I would like to restate my utmost respect to the actions of the CA,” Pangarungan also said.
“I send my deepest thanks and appreciation to the men and women of the Comelec,” the chairman continued. “It is my honor to have served as your Chairman.”
Aside from Pangarungan, fellow Duterte appointees Comelec commissioners George Garcia and Aimee Neri were also bypassed by the CA.
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