Appoint woman commissioner in Comelec, says Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano called on President Aquino over the weekend to appoint a female commissioner at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in compliance with the Magna Carta for Women which bats for greater participation of women in government affairs.

“I’m urging the President to appoint a female commissioner now that there are two vacancies. We do not have a female commissioner right now. And if we will follow the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the Magna Carta for women, greater participation of women is being encouraged and protected,” Cayetano said.

“Even if we say all commissioners are more gender sensitive today, it’s different when there’s a woman,” he said in Filipino.

Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer and Gregorio Larrazabal retired last Feb. 2.

Cayetano pointed out the need to appoint “career officials” at the Comelec and allow election watchdogs and non-government organizations to nominate individuals they deem fit to become commissioners.

“We should give a chance to career officials, especially those with good reputation among Comelec insiders,” he said.

“I believe election watchdogs can recommend names (for possible commissioners) and submit their views as well as the pros and cons against a nominee.”

The people’s participation is critical in the issue, he said, noting that politicians are the only ones who pursue their own views during a scrutiny of a candidate’s credentials during Commission on Appointment hearings.

Cayetano, who had strongly opposed the appointment of Sixto Brillantes as Comelec chairman, expressed his opinion that Aquino might have been misled about his assessment of Brillantes’ credentials as an election lawyer.