Give me benefit of the doubt, new poll commissioner asks

Newly appointed elections commissioner Moslemen Macarambon appealed to the public Friday to give him the benefit of the doubt before hitting him with controversies even if he has yet to assume his post. Macarambon, who denied links with politicians and with former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, said he went through the selection process, including applying for the job as early as 2006. "I feel I am fully qualified, I feel I will be an asset to the commission ... I'd like to ask the public to give me the benefit of the doubt, huwag muna ako husgahan (don't judge me so quickly)," he said on dzBB radio. Macarambon made a similar appeal to opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who promised to block his appointment at the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). Lacson cited information reaching him indicating Macarambon is a protégé of Garcillano, who was linked to alleged cheating in the 2004 elections. "Yes, I have heard the plan of the good senator to block my appointment. That is his prerogative. I am asking the good senator to give me the benefit of the doubt before attacking me," Macarambon said. In separate interviews on Friday morning, Macarambon denied seeking assistance from politicians but admitted that he sought an endorsement from retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Macarambon said he approached Davide on at least one occasion about his appointment. "I believe he (Davide) helped me up to Malacañang. I told him, sir, perhaps you can help me," he said in Filipino on dzMM radio. He said that in arguing his case before Davide, the new poll official then said a Muslim should take the place of now retired commissioner Mehol Sadain, also of Islamic faith. Davide, now the Philippines’ permanent representative to the United Nations, was a key figure in the impeachment of former President Joseph Estrada and the second People Power revolt which catapulted Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the presidency in 2001. However, the new poll commissioner belied claims he had the backing of influential political clans in Mindanao, or family ties with Rep. Benasing Macarambon Jr. "Let us put this on the record. I have never approached any politician to help me, I am afraid my work will be compromised," he said on dzBB radio. He added that there are many Macarambons in Lanao, and that "to my knowledge I am not related to him (Rep. Macarambon) or to any politician." In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said any decision by the Commission on Appointments (CA) to block Macarambon can be countered with a reappointment. "If he is bypassed, then it is up to the President (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) to submit his name again or to give him an interim appointment. The President can mobilize the search committee again or reappoint him and submit his name anew to the CA," Ermita said in Filipino. Macarambon "vehemently denied" knowing Garcillano, saying he had "heard his name, I don't think he knows me." Also during his interview with dzBB radio, Macarambon expressed readiness to face the CA. "I have been a very strict judge for the last 18 years. They (CA members) will ask questions and I will answer them all," he said. He also said he wants to turn around the image of the Comelec by focusing on keeping election inspectors in line, and in making sure teachers get their pay on time. Macarambon said that as a judge, he presently handles at least nine election protests. "If there are irregularities the full force of the law should be applied on them," he added, referring to the board of election inspectors. An entry on the web log of Macarambon's son Moslemen Jr showed that the elder Macarambon was a salutatorian at the Iligan City South Central School (1962) and second honorable mention at the Mindanao State University high school (1966). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Manuel L. Quezon University (1970) and Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the East (1974). He earned his Master of Laws at the Manuel L. Quezon University (1988, without thesis) and passed the 1974 Bar Examinations. From 1974 to 1978, Macarambon was a practicing Lawyer at the Muslim Legal Assistance Group (MUSLAG). From 1978 to 1980 he was legal officer and trial attorney of the National Housing Authority. He was division chief of the legal office of the Farm Systems Development Corp. from 1980 to 1984. At the same time from 1982 to 1984, he served as consultant of the Laguna Lake Development Authority. He then served as instructor at St. Michael’s College in Iligan City (Obligations and Contracts, Insurance Law, Negotiable Instruments Law) from 1984 to 1985. He was executive assistant at the office of then Sen. Mamintal Tamano and managing partner of Tamano and Associates from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1989, he served as executive assistant at the Senate Electoral Tribunal; and taught political law and constitutional law at the Mindanao State University College of Law in Iligan City from 1999 to 2000. Macarambon was appointed Presiding Judge, regional trial court-Branch 12 in Malabang, Lanao del Sur in September 1989. He was also assigned to RTC Branch 11, Malabang, Lanao del Sur; RTC Branch 5, Iligan City; RTC Branch 3; Branch 8 in Marawi City; Branch 23 in Cagayan de Oro City; Branch 7 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte; and Branch 4 in Iligan City. On Oct. 3, 2003 he was appointed presiding Judge of RTC Branch 4, Iligan City. Macarambon was president of the Maranaw Law Students Federation (1972- 1973), congressman of the College of Law of the UE Students’ Congress (1971-1972), vice president Mindanao of the Sulu Palawan Association (1971- 1972), and a member of the Tau Lambda Kappa Fraternity, Exclusive UE Law Fraternity. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Judges Association (2001- 2003) and vice chairman of the Iligan City Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines since 2006. His awards include Philippine Trial Lawyers Association as One of the Ten Outstanding RTC Judges in 1997; and Hall of Fame Awardee of the University of the East Law Alumni Association. - GMANews.TV