‘Pick Comelec commissioners from opposition groups’
MANILA, Philippines — To restore people’s confidence in the Commission on Elections (Comelec), President Marcos was asked yesterday to appoint two new poll commissioners from the opposition.
Veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal stressed the “urgent need” to appoint commissioners nominated by opposition parties following the recent Supreme Court rulings against the Comelec.
Macalintal said the current Comelec has repeatedly committed grave abusive acts by failing to observe the basic constitutional rights to due process and equal protection laws.
“Thus, because of this development, we cannot blame the stakeholders in the forthcoming 2025 elections to feel wary, especially the candidates and the law profession, of the independence, integrity, and competence of the officials who will conduct the said elections,” Macalintal said in a statement.
He said the people must be fully informed of why and how much alleged abusive acts are committed by the Comelec in rendering decisions.
“And this could only be done and insured with a Comelec commissioner recommended by the opposition who could be their voice to be insured of an independent and impartial Comelec,” he added.
In 1984, Macalintal said, the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. appointed congressman Ramon Felipe as poll commissioner as recommended by the opposition. Felipe eventually became Comelec chief after the 1986 revolution.
Macalintal said there are many young and competent practicing election lawyers who could be appointed as poll commissioners and decide cases with integrity and honesty.
Comelec Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo are set to retire this week.