CA only check and balance mechanism to Duterte's impending appointment of 3 poll execs —Lacson

Senator Panfilo Lacson, a presidential aspirant in the 2022 elections, is banking on the Commission on Appointments (CA) to maintain "check and balance" regarding appointments made the President.

"[T]he CA is the only check and balance available to the people," Lacson said in a statement on President Rodrigo Duterte's power to replace three retiring officials of the Commission on Elections four months before the May elections.

Lacson issued the statement when asked if the public should have a participation in the appointment of the new Comelec officials.

"Unfortunately, our Constitution gives the President the sole power to appoint the commissioners of the Commission on Elections," he said.

"That said, the appointees are subject to the confirmation of Congress through the Commission on Appointments, where the voice of the people may be represented as 'oppositors,' aimed at possible rejection of the appointees of nominees," he added.

Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. are set to end their term in February 2022.

After the term of the outgoing commissioners, the en banc will be left with Commissioners Marlon Casquejo, Soccoro Inting, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay — all Duterte appointees.

Former Comelec commissioner Christian Monsod last year called for “public vetting” of the appointment of election officials. According to him, the appointment of new poll commissioners can be a “game-changer” in the upcoming polls. —Hana Bordey/KBK, GMA News