‘Retirement of 2 Comelec commissioners won’t affect poll preparations’

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said President Aquino has a shortlist of candidates for two vacancies in the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and assured the public that the retirement of two commissioners would not affect preparations for the May 13 elections.

“Hopefully, even the few glitches will be absent on election day itself,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said after the Comelec conducted mock polls yesterday.

Valte said Aquino would want the replacements for Comelec commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco, who officially retired yesterday after completing their seven-year terms, to be capable of helping ensure clean polls.

She said Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and the other commissioners were in charge and would continue the preparations for the elections.

Brillantes, on the other hand, said he wants the two retired commissioners to become Comelec consultants, where they can sit during the full bench sessions but cannot vote.

Valte said Aquino had also drawn up qualifications in choosing those who would take the place of Sarmiento and Velasco.

She said Aquino would like the replacements to carry out the mandate of the Comelec as specified by the 1987 Constitution.

“The primordial mandate of the Comelec is to ensure honest, clean and peaceful elections. The President will look at their ability to carry out that mandate,” Valte said.