Comelec, COA, CSC chiefs named next week–Drilon

MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino is likely to appoint new heads at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) next week, or just before Congress resumes its session on May 4, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Sunday.

Drilon said this was to ensure the appointees would be able to immediately assume their positions, their postings being ad interim [for the meantime] appointments that do not need quick confirmation.

“I believe that by next week, before we return to session by May 4, or next week Thursday, the President may appoint new commissioners for these constitutional bodies,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

Fill the positions

Various sectors have been calling on Aquino to fill the positions left vacant for some time by the retirement of their respective commissioners.

Replacing Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes is most crucial, with the 2016 national elections just a year away.

President Aquino has also been urged to appoint a permanent chief for the Philippine National Police, something that Drilon on Sunday also broached.

Drilon said a permanent PNP chief was needed because officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina had limited authority.

Customs head

He also said he hoped that reports Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla had resigned were not true. If true, he said, this was sad news because Sevilla was a good commissioner.

“Include me among the officials urging Commissioner Sevilla to remain at his post,” Drilon said.

He also said that the libel and contempt cases against Sen. Antonio

Trillanes IV stemming from allegations that Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family had bribed two Court of Appeals justices may not prosper.

Immunity

This is because Trillanes has immunity from suit in this case, Drilon said.

“Yes, he has immunity from suit because it is part of the job,” he said.

Trillanes filed a resolution last week calling on the Senate to investigate appellate court Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Francisco Acosta for allegedly receiving P25 million each in bribes to block the suspension of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.

“Trillanes cannot be questioned in any other place except the Senate,” Drilon said.

He reiterated that the Senate can investigate the allegations against the justices but cannot compel them to attend the hearings.