Is Abbas’ appointment move to peddle MILF influence in Comelec?

VIDEO BY NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has questioned the recent appointment of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Sheriff Abbas, saying his appointment could be read as a move of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to influence the decisions made inside the commission.

In a heated exchange with members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission during the Senate public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the senator said Abbas’ appointment was an affront to democracy.

“It only takes one commissioner to influence the decisions of the commission. Everyone in the Comelec knows that,” Cayetano said.

Undersecretary Jose Orena said the appointment of the alleged nephew of MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal merely satisfied state policy regarding representation of various sectors in the leadership of government agencies.

Orena added it was the prerogative of President Benigno Aquino III to appoint anyone for the post.

But the senator did not buy the arguments raised by Orena.

“I don’t mind if all the commissioners and the chairman are Muslims because I don’t look at their religion. My point is, if the MILF is going to participate in the elections, they should not have placed a relative of their chairman (in Comelec). It is an undue advantage for their opponents during the elections,” Cayetano said.

“I don’t have a problem with the appointment of a Muslim commissioner, but it should be ensured that he is independent and not a nominee of the MILF.”

The Inquirer earlier reported that MILF had registered as a regional political party known as the United Bangsamoro Justice Party which intended to participate in the 2016 elections.

Asked by the press what he would do to address the issue of the appointment of Iqbal’s alleged nephew, Cayetano said he would question the move before the Committee on Appointments.

“I will definitely be active and question this (Abbas’ appointment) before the Commission on Appointments because if the MILF will join the elections, they should not have a nominee,” the senator said.

Aquino appointed Abbas and lawyer Rowena Guanzon as two new Comelec commissioners along with Presidential Commission on Good Governance Chief Andres Bautista as Comelec chair on April 28. Their terms are set to expire on Feb. 2, 2022.

Iqbal has neither confirmed nor denied that Abbas is his nephew.

On its part, Malacañang maintained that Abbas is qualified for the post.