New Comelec commissioner Pipo’s plea to CA: No very personal questions

New Comelec Commissioner Noli Pipo signs his oath of office beside Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia. (Photo by INQUIRER.net / JOHN ERIC MENDOZA)

MANILA, Philippines — Banking on his decades of experience in the field, the newest Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Noli Pipo on Wednesday said he is ready to answer questions from the Commission on Appointments (CA) once he is scheduled for a confirmation hearing.

Pipo took his oath administered by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia at the poll body’s session hall on Wednesday.

His appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was made during the recess of the 19th Congress, making it an ad interim appointment.

Marcos’ ad interim appointment may be approved or disapproved by the CA.

“Whatever the decision of the Commission on Appointments, we will respect [it],” Pipo said in a press conference after his oath-taking.

“I would be very proud to answer questions,” he continued. “I will base it on my experiences in the field.”

READ: Comelec’s new commissioners are career officers Casingal, Pipo

Pipo also served the Comelec for 32 years, beginning as an election officer in 1993 before serving as the commission’s Ilocos regional director in 2006.

The new commissioner has one appeal to the CA.

“Huwag naman po sana ‘yung mga masyadong personal na, but when it comes sa trabaho namin,” Pipo said.

(We hope there are no very personal questions, but the ones that pertain to only our jobs.)

“Ang sabi naman ni chairman sa amin, kung may mga issue sa inyo, di ko naman kayo ipu-push,” he added, as he thanked Garcia for recommending him for the post.

(What the chairman told us is, that if we have any issues, he would not push for us.)

Aside from Pipo, Comelec law department chief, Norina Tangaro-Casingal was appointed by Marcos as one of the agency’s two new commissioners.

Prior to the appointment, Casingal had served the Comelec for more than 27 years.

READ: Career official, woman ideal new Comelec commissioners – Garcia