Outgoing Comelec officials may return as consultants

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Tuesday said two retiring commissioners may be tapped as consultants of the poll body.

Brillantes, anticipating the retirement of Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco on February 2, said he will ask them to lend a hand in the upcoming May 13 polls as consultants.

"Sa Sabado ang retirement nila, February 2 ... Last week na nila ngayon. By Saturday retired na sila so by Monday next week lima na lang muna kami," Brillantes said in a radio interview.

Noting that the retirement may not be extended under the law, Brillantes explained Sarmiento and Velasco may be asked to stay with him in another capacity.

"Puwede namin pakiusapan siguro 'yung dalawang commissioners to remain as consultants. That is an alternative kung gusto nilang tumulong sa amin," he added.

Sarmiento, a lawyer, will retire from his full term of seven years starting 2006 as Comelec commissioner.

Rising from the poll body's ranks, Velasco sat as among the highest election officials in 2008 to complete the unfinished term of former commissioner Moslemen Macarambon.

Brillantes earlier urged Malacañang to immediately appoint replacements for the position so they may be briefed ahead of time on operations of the upcoming mid-term polls.