Aquino gives hint on choice for next Comelec chair

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said that his choice for the next Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman is “relatively young” and a legal luminary.

“This person is relatively young, he’s acknowledged in the legal circles, he has already proven his mettle,” Aquino said in an interview with reporters in Bacolod City.

He said he hopes to get a final answer from his choice by Saturday, May 2.

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“I just need to interview the primary candidate and just to confirm that he really is volunteering,” he said.

The President said he needs to confirm from his choice that the he really wanted the job.

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“Ang kailangan ko lang confirmation that he wants the job as opposed to mapilitan na tanggapin ‘yung trabaho (I just need a confirmation from him that he wants the job and that he is not being coerced to accept it). I just needed to hear it from his lips,” he said.

On April 17, Aquino said he already had someone in mind for the top Comelec post but the person declined.

READ: Aquino says his first choice for Comelec chair declined

Aquino has yet to appoint a Comelec chair after Sixto Brillantes Jr. retired in February.

Other positions in the government that still need to be filled up include the heads of the Philippine National Police, the Civil Service Commission and the Department of energy. IDL