Melo opts for early retirement

MANILA, Philippines - After two years as Commission on Elections chairman, Jose Melo has opted for an early retirement and a new job in the Aquino administration.

An ABS-CBN report quoting a source said a close relative of President Aquino was able to convince Melo to accept a new post after an early retirement from the Comelec. Melo was named Comelec chief in 2008 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His term lapses in 2015.

Melo left for Hawaii on Tuesday for a weeklong vacation which, according to the source, was in preparation for his eventual exit from Comelec in December.

Some Comelec commissioners said Melo had voiced his intention to leave the poll body at least 10 times during meetings.

“Sinasabi lang niya na gusto na niyang mag-rest. Mas gusto niya siguro yung work na di ganun ang pressure just like in the Comelec (He was saying he wanted some rest. Maybe he would like to work with less pressure),” Commissioner Armando Velasco said in the ABS-CBN report.

Melo was in charge of the conduct of the 2008 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the first nationwide automated election in May 2010, and Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“He said he only wanted to oversee the automation of elections. And that it was successful,” Velasco said.

For Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the 78-year-old elections chief has already accomplished his mission.

Sarmiento, according to the ABS-CBN report, said holding a different post in the Aquino administration would be a good move for Melo.

“Even if he’s 78 he is still strong. He could be an ambassador or a presidential adviser on electoral or judicial reforms,” Sarmiento said.

In a telephone interview, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal and spokesman James Jimenez have expressed surprise over the report.

Larrazabal noted that if indeed Melo decides to retire, the Aquino administration would have a “fresh mandate” in the Comelec. This is because he and fellow Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer are also set to retire in February 2010.

“That means that there will be three vacancies in the Comelec, three options for appointments,” Larrazabal added.

The Comelec is composed of six commissioners and a chairman.