Comelec chief vows clean polls as he battles to keep his post

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. vowed yesterday to hold clean, honest and informed elections in 2013.

Speaking to 100 participants in the pre-electoral summit in Bulacan, Brillantes said a credible, honest, orderly, and informed automated election is now possible.

“I assure you, we will have fruitful and successful election in 2013,” he said.

Brillantes said many things need to be explained to the voters.

“Without the active participation of stakeholders like you outside the Comelec, no election can be credible and successful,” he said.

Brillantes said a successful election is not just a dream for him.

It has been a personal mission since he assumed office last January, he added.

Brillantes said if confimed by the Commisson on Appointments, he will be chairman until 2015.

That means he will only have one election to work on, he added.

Comelec law department director Ferdinand Rafanan said the advisory council must now meet in preparation for the next automated elections.

Preparation includes procurement of materials needed for an automated election including the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, Rafanan said.