Brillantes, 2 Comelec execs step down today

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and two commissioners are retiring today, leaving only four commissioners to lead preparations for the May 2016 general elections.

Brillantes, Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph are stepping down after completing their seven-year term.

Brillantes assured the public that operations at the Comelec would not be disrupted even with only four commissioners left. 

He said that since President Aquino is not expected to appoint a replacement until Congress goes on recess in March, Commissioner Christian Robert Lim has been appointed as acting chairman by Commissioners Al Parreño, Arthur Lim and Luie Guia. Brillantes noted that Lim would have the full powers of a Comelec chairman.

The four remaining commissioners have divided themselves into the two Comelec divisions so they could continue to decide on pending cases.

As a policy, an appointee of the President cannot assume office if he is not yet confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

Sources of The STAR at Malacañang earlier said that former deputy executive secretary for legal affairs Joe Nathan Tenefrancia will take over Brillantes’ post.

Tenefrancia is allied with former chief presidential legal counsel and defense secretary Avelino Cruz, who serves as counsel to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Other Comelec contenders include retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Aquino’s former colleague at the House of Representatives; Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Winston Ginez and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.