Ochoa, Ginez, Hilbay eyed for top Comelec post

MANILA, Philippines - The shortlist of candidates for the new chairman of the Commission on Elections is getting longer.

Two more names were added to the list of possible replacement of retiring Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“There are words circulating here that Ochoa is coming in as Comelec chairman,” a commission official said.

Ochoa has been a legal adviser of President Aquino since he first ran for Congress in 1998.

Sources added that Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez and acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay are also being considered as Brillantes’ replacement.

The duo would join Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino as contenders for the top Comelec post.

Brillantes, Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph are scheduled to retire in February 2015 after completing their seven-year term.

This will leave Commissioners Christian Lim, Al Parreño, Luie Guia and Arthur Lim, who are all appointees of President Aquino.

The changes will come as the Comelec is preparing for the 2016 presidential elections.