'Comelec employees demoralized'

MANILA, Philippines - Employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are already demoralized by the non-confirmation of Chairman Sixto Brillantes as the poll body prepares for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the 2013 midterm polls.

“If anything, there is an effect on the morale (but) as far as on the practical effects are concerned, there is none,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said yesterday at the weekly media forum at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

“It is rather disturbing to have one of your own opposing the nomination of your chairman,” Jimenez said, referring to Comelec’s Planning Department head Ferdinand Rafanan.

Brillantes’ appointment had been stalled twice by Sen. Alan Peter Caye­tano, whose wife ran and won against the chairman’s former client, Dante Tinga, for the 2010 mayoral race in Taguig City.

Last week, Rafa­nan filed an opposition against Brillantes’ confirmation, leading to its deferment by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Brillantes was appointed by President Aquino last January replacing Jose Melo.

The possibility of conducting a dual preparation by the poll body surfaced after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the law synchronizing the ARMM polls with the 2013 midterm elections.

Jimenez, however, assured the public that the Comelec is prepared for the ARMM polls and is just waiting for the SC ruling before it sets the date of the elections.