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Sunday, January 27, 2008
Melo is new election chief
MANILA -- Citing his "credibility," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named retired Supreme Court (SC) justice Jose Melo as the new chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A dzRB report from Switzerland said the President announced Melo would assume the top post of the Comelec on February 2. Arroyo is in Davos, Switzerland.
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The report said Arroyo claimed Melo was the "karapat-dapat (rightful)" person to head the election body, which had been suffering from credibility problems.
The Comelec had been accused of failing to stop cheating in elections, including the 2004 presidential elections marred by a wiretap scandal involving then election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano Jr.
Also, Arroyo noted Melo managed to bring down extra judicial killings by "80 percent" since he was named to a fact-finding commission on "unexplained killings" in 2006.
The top post in the Comelec has been vacant since October 1 last year, when Benjamin Abalos Sr. resigned after being linked to a US$329.5 million broadband deal scandal.
In Manila, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he was not informed of any such decision.
"Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said nothing about it when we talked earlier. When the President left for Switzerland she made no such hints about an announcement. We have to wait for her arrival on Tuesday," Ermita said.
Malacañang insisted that President Arroyo's appointment of Melo as Comelec chairman is no political accommodation.
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo also said Arroyo spent much time studying her options on whom to appoint to the top Comelec post.
"It was not an overnight thing. The President studied it well. We hope the people accept this decision positively, the Comelec's top post is very sensitive," she said.
She also denied Melo's appointment was a political accommodation, saying the former SC justice was chosen for his credibility.
Fajardo said Arroyo "studied" her options long and hard, adding that the candidates themselves were subjected to "a long screening process."
"They can see Melo's credibility and judge for themselves. He's most acceptable to our citizens, we hope," she said.
A church-backed election watchdog group welcomed the appointment of Melo.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said it is hopeful Melo's credibility will finally rub off on the Comelec and restore public trust in the electoral system.
"He (Melo) has a good track record in the judiciary and Supreme Court. We hope that with his experience and independence, he can resurrect the Comelec's credibility and bring back public trust in our electoral system," said PPCRV lawyer Howard Calleja.
He said the PPCRV would also respect President Arroyo's decisions on whom to appoint to the remaining two vacancies in the election body.
Calleja, reportedly one of those considered as a Comelec commissioner, also said the PPCRV is willing to support Melo's efforts to institute reforms in the Comelec.
"We've been fighting so many years for electoral reform, modernization, and automation," he said.
Calleja added that should he be appointed as commissioner, he will support Melo by giving "youth and vigor to match his experience." (JMR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (January 27, 2008 issue)
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