LP official, 3 Comelec execs in Noy's list for commissioners

MANILA, Philippines -  An executive of the Liberal Party (LP) and three officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are in the shortlist of candidates to fill the vacancies left by the retirement of two commissioners yesterday.                                   

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes said these are: LP executive director Chito Gascon, Comelec Personnel Department Director Adolfo Ibañez, Law Department Director Ferdinand Rafanan, and Bicol Regional Election Director Zacarias Zaragoza. A testimonial dinner was hosted for retiring commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer and Gregorio Larrazabal last night.            

Ferrer earlier said that upon retirement, he would set up his own law firm. Larrazabal, on the other hand, said he would write a book on the automated election system.                                           

Brillantes said he did not make any recommendations to President Aquino but he personally prefers lawyers because the bulk of Comelec’s responsibilities involve legal matters. “It’s up to the President. I think he knows who to appoint. I just hope he will make the selection in the next few days,” he said.                             

Another candidate for the position is Gus Lagman, a close friend of former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod.              

In an interview in Biñan, Laguna, Aquino said he has not yet personally screened all the applications but said one of the two vacancies will be given to an IT expert.   – With Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla