Malacañang confident Comelec will resolve 'internal issues'

Malacañang on Monday said it remains confident that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will resolve its supposed internal issues over the disqualification case of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for Eleksyon 2022.

“Between the seven highest officials ng Comelec, we are confident that they can address whatever internal issues or concerns, if any, that they have,” acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said at the Palace briefing.

Nograles issued the remark when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte is not concerned over what is happening within Comelec and how it may affect the credibility of the commission as well as the elections.

Last week, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said a senator may be behind the delay in the release of the decision on the presidential aspirant disqualification case.

Guanzon, who voted for Marcos' disqualification and is set to retire on February 2, believes there is a "conspiracy" to delay the release of the ruling so her vote will not be counted.

She said the case is being held up on the part of Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, a member of the First Division which is handling the case. Guanzon is the presiding officer of the Comelec First Division while Ferolino is the ponente in the Marcos disqualification case.

In response, Ferolino has accused Guanzon of trying to influence her in the disqualification case against Marcos.

Nograles on Monday said the Comelec is an independent constitutional body that has its own internal rules and regulations.

“And we are confident that they will be able to resolve it and resolve these issues and concerns if any, if they have based on using their own internal protocols rules and procedures,” he said.

Guanzon earlier on Monday said she will divulge the name of the politician who allegedly tried to intervene in the resolution.

Shortlist

Meanwhile, Nograles said Duterte already has a shortlist of possible appointees that will replace outgoing Comelec chairperson Sheriff Abas and Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr.

Both Abas, Kho, and Guanzon are set to retire on February 2.

“The President has a shortlist na po sa pagpipilian niya for the appointment. So siyempre alam ni Pangulo na kailangan na po natin i-appoint dahil sa mga vacancies,” Nograles said.

(The President has a shortlist of people he may consider for the appointment. So of course, the President knows that he needs to appoint some people to fill in the vacancies.)

“Of course, depende din po sa pagko-confirm sa Commission on Appointments. Depende po ‘yan sa Kongreso, on how fast they can confirm the appointments,” he added.

(Of course, it also depends on the Commission on Appointments in Congress as to how fast they can confirm the appointments.)

Guanzon last week said Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting will serve as the poll body’s interim chairperson starting February 3.

Nograles said Duterte also has a list of possible appointees for the chairperson posts in the Commission on Audit and Civil Service Commission.

“Yes, yes. May shortlist na rin po si Pangulo doon,” he said. 

(Yes, yes. The President also has a shortlist for those posts). 

'Deliberate speed'

In a separate statement, the Philippine Bar Association urged the poll body to resolve the Marcos disqualification case with transparency and deliberate speed, adding that their mandate requires heightened urgency.

"Part and parcel of the entire electoral process is an assurance that matters pertaining to candidates are resolved with transparency and all deliberate speed. In an election that will choose the leaders who will chart our nation's course out of the pandemic, this mandate acquires heightened urgency," it said.

The public also has the right to question the delays in processing the resolution, PBA said.

"Regardless of one's political leanings, the unfolding events on the disqualification case/s of a presidential candidate have placed the Comelec's processes squarely within the public's eye. It is entirely within the Comelec's purview how to conduct its business," it said.

"But if indeed the standard processing times have been reached, then the public is within its rights to question any perceived delay in the resolution of a matter of paramount interest," PBA added.

Moreover, PBA said that if Comelec can efficiently disqualify and remove nuisance candidates, then the same process must also be applied in other cases involving disqualification. —KG/BM, GMA News