2 new Comelec commissioners named

MANILA, Philippines - Two months before the mid-term elections in May, President Benigno Aquino III appointed two lawyers to the Commission on Elections on Thursday.

Former Ambassador to Egypt and former Lanao del Norte Rep. Macabangkit Lanto and election law expert Bernadette Sardillo have been named as new Comelec commissioners.

Aquino told reporters in Davao on Thursday that Lanto has proven to have an independent mind while Sardillo has defended the rights of voters several times especially during the last elections.

In a post on microblogging site Twitter, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. welcomed the appointment of Lanto and Sardillo into the polling body.

I welcome the appointment of Atty. Maria Bernadette Sardillo and Atty. Macabangkit Lanto as new @comelec Commissioners.

— Sixto Brillantes Jr. (@ChairBrillantes) March 7, 2013

The president added he has already forwarded the appointment papers to the Commission on Appointments and to Congress for confirmation.

The two will replace former Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco who retired last February 2.

Comelec Employees

Meanwhile, Comelec's rank and file employees  welcomed the appointment of Lanto and  Sardillo.

"These appointments are a big boost to the Commission,  (which) is now at the thick of preparations for the May 13, 2013 elections," the Comelec- Employees Union said in a statement.

The group, however, expressed dismay over the president's decision to ignore the ir request to appoint insiders to fill up the vacancies at the Comelec.

"We, however, are saddened that the President ignored our earlier call to appoint insiders to the posts. Be that as it may, the more than 5,000 Comelec employees nationwide, respects the President's decision and welcomes the two new Commissioners," the group said.

"We wish to extend our willingness to work with Commissioners Lanto and Sardillo in ensuring the success of the upcoming elections. We hope they join us in our cause to forward the well being of poll workers nationwide," the Comelec-EU added.