Comelec reshuffles Visayas regional directors, poll officials

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The three regions in the Visayas now have new Comelec regional directors, as part of a nationwide reshuffling of key officials and field personnel being implemented by the poll body for the May 9 elections.

Comelec-Region 6 (Western Visayas) director Dennis Ausan is now regional director of Comelec-Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), replacing Jose Nick Mendros, who is now director of Comelec-Region 7 (Central Visayas). Mendros replaces Rafael Olano, who is taking over Ausan’s post at WV.

“This reshuffle is being undertaken to forestall any accusations of partiality or bias on the part of any Comelec official, and in line with our primary objective of achieving credible elections,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said in his order dated January 8.

The new assignments will be effective from January 9 to June 8.

In Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City, the reshuffling of Comelec officers as well as the provincial elections supervisor is expected to start on January 29.

Provincial elections supervisor Jessie Suarez said he and his peers are just waiting for the order from the Comelec Central Office.

In the 2013 elections, Suarez was reassigned to Iloilo Province and was replaced by Capiz Provincial Elections Supervisor Wil Arceño.Bacolod City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia said the field officers will have until February 9 to assume their new posts.

Sia said that, in Bacolod, there are six candidates for congressman, three for mayor, two for vice mayor and 27 for councilor.

The campaign period for national candidates will start on February 9 while that of local candidates will start on March 25. (FREEMAN)