THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday appealed to President Marcos Jr. to immediately appoint replacements for senior Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo who are due to retire in February after completing their seven-year terms in the poll body.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are hoping it will not take long for the President to appoint new poll officials with the May 2025 elections just over 100 days away.
“It is our call for the President to immediately appoint their (Inting and Casquejo) replacements so that our preparations and operations at the Comelec will be normal, especially with the elections just months away,” said Garcia.
Even in performing their quasi-judicial function, the poll chief said having a complete membership of the seven-man Commission en banc would be better.
“In disposing cases, it would be better if we are complete because there are times when there are split decisions and opinions and we can’t reach a majority,” said Garcia.
Inting was appointed poll commissioner in April 2018, while Casquejo was appointed in June 2018, both by then-President Duterte.
Their retirement will leave only Garcia, as well as Commissioners Rey Bulay, Aimee Ferolino, Ernesto Maceda, and Nelson Celis as members of the Comelec en banc.
Asked if the prevailing election ban will require Marcos to secure authorization from the Comelec before making the appointment, Garcia said no.
“The President has a continuing authority from the Comelec. If the one making the appointment is the President, it won’t require any exemption from the Comelec,” said Garcia.
The Omnibus Election Code includes the prohibition of “any public official, who makes or causes any transfer or detail whatsoever of any officer or employee in the civil service, including public school teachers, within the election period, except upon prior approval of the Commission.”
The election period for the May 2025 polls runs from January 12 to June 11.