Friday, October 12, 2007 Comelec exec urges personnel to work hard
THE sudden resignation of Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos has put the office “in a very critical period,” said Resurreccion Borra, who recently assumed as acting chairman.
With that, Borra asks all the personnel and staff of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “stretch up more efficiently, effectively and efficaciously the performance of their official duties and responsibilities.”
“This urgent challenge is not a command but straight to the conscience,” said Borra.
Borra’s statements are contained in his memorandum dated Oct. 5, which was faxed to different regional and provincial election offices last Wednesday. It was also posted on Comelec’s website last Tuesday.
Questioned deal
Abalos resigned last Oct. 1 amid allegations that he was involved in the questioned broadband deal of the government with China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Corp. (ZTE).
Being the most senior among the commissioners, Borra was designated to replace Abalos.
“We are in a very critical period in the long history of our Commission on Elections… Crisis situations could make or unmake an institution,” said Borra.
“But this is a great and serious challenge to the incumbent Comelec officials and personnel to live up to, perform, and achieve the constitutional and statutory mandates reposed upon them,” added Borra.
Limitations
The new Comelec head also recognized the “risks, limitations and responsibilities” in relation to his capacity as acting chairman.
This is coupled with the fact that he is retiring on Feb. 2, 2008 after seven years of service, while the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be held soon.
He assured that his staff and personnel in the Comelec head office are doing their best in performing their official functions.
“At this crucial and challenging time, our strength and the factor for success are unity, solidarity and understanding. Each one of us is definitely contributing a finer stone, though how modest it may be, into the continuously building the Commission for the past 67 years to a constitutional edifice, endearing, enduring and edifying,” said Borra. (MBG)
