Comelec personnel urge Aquino: Don’t name new chief

Comelec office. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Field officials and employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday called on President Aquino not to appoint a new Comelec chair until after the May 2016 elections.

Appointing an “outsider” during this time poses disadvantages for the commission considering the proximity of the 2016 polls, said the groups that include the Comelec-Employees’ Union, League of Election Officers of the Nation, Comelec Regional Election Directors Organization and Provincial Election Supervisors Association of the Philippines in a letter to Aquino.

“The appointment of a new chair, who would have to learn the ramifications of all the difficulties we are facing, could only be disadvantageous,” they said.

Instead of appointing a new chair, they suggested that acting Comelec Chair Christian Robert Lim’s tenure be extended.

They said they were in favor of an extended service by Lim because of his “commendable performance” since assuming the post after the retirement of Sixto Brillantes on Feb. 2.

“We remain steadfast and high in morale as we rally behind the courage and leadership of our acting chair… with great pride and honor, we recommend the continuous service of Commissioner Lim as our acting chair,” the groups said.

Among the contenders for the poll agency’s top post are Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chair Winston Ginez, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna and former Cadiz City Mayor Rowena Guanzon.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said it is already finalizing its contingency measures in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s junking of the poll body’s refurbishing contract with Smartmatic for the precinct count optical scan machines to be used in the 2016 elections.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec could not afford to wait around while Smartmatic appealed its case in to the high court. Smartmatic earlier announced that it planned to appeal.