Comelec appoints janitor-turned-lawyer as election officer

Former Commission on Elections janitor, now Attorney Ramil Comendador, has been promoted to Election Officer IV.

In a press release, the Comelec said Comendador was appointed as Election Officer IV on July 17 after chairman Andres Bautista approved the recommendation of the agency's Regional Selection Promotional Boards.

Comendador bested six other applicants for the position.

"In our previous conversations, I encouraged Atty. Comendador to consider applying for a higher position," Bautista said.

"We recognize his diligence and determination to reach his goals and we are pleased to see him accept the challenge. We look forward to working with him even more now as he takes on his new role as an Election Officer." 

Comendador, whose story went viral on social media, worked as a utility worker at the Comelec in 2007.

He earned his Bachelor in Public Administration degree in 2011 at the Universidad de Manila. He finished his Juris Doctor in 2016.

Prior to his promotion, Comendador was an election assistant in Malabon City.

He took his oath as lawyer on May 22, along with over 3,700 passers of the 2017 Bar examinations.

"Ramil is certainly an inspiration to everyone, especially to his colleagues in the Commission and to the youth. His story shows that if you work hard enough, you will be rewarded in the end," Bautista said. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/LBG/KVD, GMA News