TWO officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) — one from the main office and another one from the field — have been appointed by President Marcos Jr. as the newest commissioners of the poll body three months before the May 2025 national and local polls.
In separate announcements, Comelec chief George Garcia said that Law Department Director Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Ilocos Region Regional Election Director (RED) Noli Rafol Pipo have been named as successors of the retired Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo, respectively.
“The ones appointed by the President are insiders,” said Garcia in a press briefing yesterday.
“We are glad because this is a recognition of the skills, wisdom, and dedication of those in the Comelec,” he added.
The poll chief said they also welcome the speedy appointment made by Marcos with Inting and Casquejo retiring just last February 2.
“We welcome the granting of our request to immediately appoint the new commissioners because Election Day is just 91 days away,” said Garcia.
Casingal immediately took her oath before Garcia yesterday at the Comelec main office, while Pipo will have his oath-taking on Wednesday.
Before her appointment, Casingal has been working with the Comelec Law Department since 1997 and has been its head since 2016.
Garcia said he believes that Casingal will be a valuable asset to the Commission given her knowledge and familiarity with legal matters.
“She will mainly focus on the legal aspect. The Law Department will still be under her as Commissioner-in-Charge,” said Garcia.
Casingal will also be assigned as a member of the Comelec 1st Division, which is headed by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino with Commissioner Ernesto Maceda as a member.
“Since she was appointed first, she will be part of the 1st Division,” said Garcia.
Casingal said the appointment caught her by surprise but added she was “thankful to the President for heeding the call of our chairman to appoint insiders.”
Pipo hails from the home region of Marcos, particularly in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
He has been serving as Ilocos Region RED since April 2006 until his appointment as commissioner.
Pipo had also served as Bangued, Abra Election Officer (1993 to 1996); Ilocos Norte Provincial Election Supervisor (1996 to 2004); and Region I Assistant RED (2004 to 2006).
