Former Isabela governor Grace Padaca
MANILA, Philippines — Finally, the male-dominated Commission on Elections (Comelec) will have a “referee” when it finds itself in a debate and at a deadlock on issues facing the poll body.
Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. had this to say, on Tuesday, as he welcomed the appointment of former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca as an addition to the currently six-member en banc.
Brillantes was also thankful that his wish to have a woman commissioner as the replacement of former Commissioner Augusto Lagman was granted. “A woman commissioner is our biggest asset. Now, there will be someone who will referee us,” the poll chief told reporters in an interview.
He also added that the en banc would no longer reach a stalemate or a “3-3” vote with Padaca’s appointment.
“I can always say I have known her already. Her reputation is good. There is no problem with her integrity so she will really be of great help to us. We welcome her,” he said.
Lagman, an IT expert who had openly opposed a Comelec decision purchasing the voting machines used in the automated 2010 elections for next year’s balloting, failed to secure reappointment from President Benigno Aquino III in April.
Without a new appointment, Lagman cannot continue serving at the Comelec.
The en banc is currently composed of Brillantes and Election Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Elias Yusoph, Christian Robert Lim, Lucenito Tagle and Armando Velasco.
Brillantes said the commission might delegate the poll body’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), headed at present by Sarmiento, to Padaca.
“It’s a big program since we are registering PWDs [for the 2013 elections]…I think that would be a good committee [that she could head],” he said.
Offhand, Brillantes also said that with Padaca’s appointment and by accepting a government position, “she is considered to have abandoned her protest case.” The poll chief referred to Padaca’s electoral protest against Isabela Gov Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.