ALTHOUGH hailing from the same region as President Marcos Jr., newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Noli Rafol Pipo yesterday vowed to be independent and neutral in performing his duties and responsibilities.
In a press conference after his brief oath-taking before Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Pipo said he is certain that he won’t need to pay a debt of gratitude to Marcos for being appointed as poll commissioner.
“When President Marcos was governor of Ilocos Norte, I was then the provincial election supervisor there. I never heard any meddling from him. He only calls when he has concerns over the peace and order (of the elections). But he doesn’t interfere, especially with regards to our personnel,” recalled Pipo.
“The Marcoses aren’t like that. This is why I feel comfortable that I was appointed by the President,” he added.
This was seconded by Garcia, who said other Marcos appointees in the commission have proven to have integrity and neutrality.
“We will always be responsible for our oath. Our loyalty should always be to the country, constitution, the republic,” said Garcia.
Five of the seven members of the Comelec en banc are Marcos appointees – Garcia, Pipo, and Commissioners Nelson Celis, Ernesto Maceda, and Norina Casingal.
Commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Rey Bulay remain as the only appointees of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Pipo and Casingal were given interim appointments as Comelec commissioners last Monday.
According to the former Ilocos Region regional election director (RED), Garcia strongly encouraged him to apply for the post.
“Commissioner Pipo knows and is close to other regional directors. That’s an advantage because it is very difficult to come into an institution and you don’t know who to talk to, who to give orders, who to assign particular duties, as well as on how to talk to them,” explained Garcia.
He said Pipo will be assigned to the Comelec second division, which is presided by Bulay with Celis as the other member.
Asked if he is confident of getting the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA), Pipo said it is not up to him.
“Whatever the decision of the CA, we will respect it,” said Pipo.
