Comelec immobilized

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang’s non-renewal of appointment of three Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioners has hampered vital operations at the poll body, sources said yesterday.

A source told The STAR that Comelec key officials have not been able to hold the regular Tuesday meeting since the appointment of Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Leonardo Leonida and Moslemen Macarambon expired when Congress went on recess last Oct. 9.

“The commission cannot hold an en banc because there is no quorum. Only the chairman and two commissioners are left,” the source noted, referring to Chairman Jose Melo and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Nicodemo Ferrer.

The Comelec’s hierarchy is supposed to be manned by a chairman and six commissioners but Malacañang has not filled up one vacant slot for commissioner. But despite this, a quorum can be called if a majority of them are present during the meeting.

Another Comelec insider revealed that poll officials have failed to act on certain matters, particularly those concerning the electoral protests filed by some candidates in the 2007 elections.

“The actions of Comelec are limited. And unless Malacañang re-appoints the three commissioners, I don’t think the Comelec can go full blast in its operations,” the source added.

Melo confirmed the situation as he admitted that he called the Palace yesterday to request for the speedy renewal of the appointment of the three officials.

“I told them that if there is already an appointment paper, they have to release it soon. When Congress resumes session on Monday and there’s no appointment paper, the Comelec will be crippled,” he said in a telephone interview.