Marcos urged to fast-track selection of new Comelec commissioners
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track the appointment of new commissioners for the poll body.
According to Garcia, the appointment of the new commissioners can help in Comelec’s “normal” operations as it prepares for the May elections.
“Kung kaya napakabuti sana at ang ating panawagan at hindi naman tayo nag iimpluwensya sa ating pangulo… Sana may maappoint agad sa Comelec na kapalit,” Garcia said in an interview after the Comelec en banc session at the Intramuros Museum.
(That’s why it would be great if, and we’re not trying to influence our president… we hope that someone is appointed to replace the position at Comelec as soon as possible.)
READ: 2 Comelec commissioners to retire in February 2025, says Garcia
Garcia previously said that Comelec commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo “will officially be retiring on February 2, 2025,” leaving the six-man constitutional body with just four commissioners.
Article continues after this advertisement“Ang en banc naman po ay lima pa rin kami. Of course, napakaganda po kung kami ay kumpleto sapagkat hindi naman napipigilan minsan hindi nakakakuha ng majority para magdispose ng isang isyu, syempre minsan nagkakahati ng desisyon at opinyon,” Garcia added.
Article continues after this advertisement(The en banc still consists of five of us. Of course, it would be great if we were complete, because sometimes it becomes difficult to get a majority to dispose of an issue, and of course, decisions and opinions can sometimes be divided.)
Garcia said the President has a “continuing authority” in the Comelec to appoint its commissioners.
Meanwhile, the poll chief said that the retirement of Inting and Casquejo will not affect the election process.
READ: Comelec: Ballot printing for 2025 polls set on Jan. 25
“Majority pa rin po ang dalawang divisions ng Comelec. Tigdalawa pa rin po. Magkakaroon pa rin po ng presiding ang dalawang dibisyon,” he noted.
(The majority still lies with the two divisions of Comelec, with two members each. Each division will still have its own presiding officer.)