2 poll commissioners take oaths, assume posts

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) now officially has a complete roster of commissioners.

After getting the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA), Comelec Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Gregorio Larrazabal yesterday took their oaths and officially assumed posts that had been vacant for more than a year.

Yusoph, a former Marawi City prosecutor who replaced retired Commissioner Resurreccion Borra, will serve until February 2015 while Larrazabal will finish the remaining term of the late Commissioner Romeo Brawner until February 2011.

While he was appointed to the Comelec last February, Yusoph was not able to take his oath of office and therefore was not able to sit as commissioner.

Both new commissioners pledged to work with the five other members of the Commission in ensuring a credible and orderly conduct of the first automated elections in the country next year.

Larrazabal said he would tap the services of the Filipino youth and use his vast experience on information technology to enable the Comelec to successfully implement the automated elections in 2010.

“I intend to tap the youth, particularly in the coming elections because we want our automated elections to serve as model for other countries to implement a similar election system,” Larrazabal said.

Although Larrazabal is the youngest commissioner, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said he would be serving the shortest term among the incumbent commissioners.

Larrazabal also belied allegations that his appointment was due to mere “political accommodation.”

Larrazabal pointed out that he had served as Comelec regional election director in Eastern Visayas and held other positions in the Comelec for more than five years.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo has ordered a search for a new Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman after her initial appointee, Ricardo Saludo, was rejected by the CA.  – With Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla