Marcos names 2 new Comelec commissioners

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named two officers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the new commissioners of the poll body.

On Monday, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia announced the ad-interim appointments of Ma. Norina Tangaro-Casingal and lawyer Noli Rafol Pipo as new Comelec commissioners.

“We would like to announce the appointment of our new commissioner, Commissioner Norina Tangaro-Casingal,” said Garcia.

Tangaro-Casingal served as the director of the Comelec Legal Department prior to her appointment. She will replace ex-commissioner Socorro Inting, who retired after completing her seven-year term.

President Marcos has named Atty. Ma. Norina Tangaro-Casingal as new Comelec commissioner. Casingal was the head of the Comelec law department before her appointment as commissioner. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/uSVbgbzLL7

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) February 10, 2025

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating kagalang-galang na Pangulo sapagkat kaagad na dininig and hiling natin na mag-appoint kaagad nang maaga dahil malapit na ang elections,” said Garcia.

(We thank our honorable President because he immediately granted our appeal for him to appoint someone soon because of the upcoming elections.)

“At the same time, ang napili ng ating Pangulo ay isang insider. Si Dir. Nori ay matagal nang director ng Law Department. Matagal na rin sya sa Comelec...Natutuwa tayo sapagkat ito ay pagkilala sa kakayanan, galing, talino, dedication ng nasa Comelec,” he added.

(At the same time, our President picked an insider. Dir. Nori has been the longtime director of the Law Department. She has also been with Comelec for a long time... We are glad because this shows that those working for Comelec have the ability, skills, talent, and dedication. 

Tangaro-Casingal took her oath before Garcia.

She will be under the Comelec First Division, joining presiding Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr.

Since it is an ad-interim appointment, Garcia said Tangaro-Casingal will serve until the resumption of  Congress session on June 2.

Meanwhile, Garcia said he will designate an officer-in-charge for the Law Department in the meantime.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Presidente for heeding to the request of the Chairman na ma-appoint sana ang insider. Of course, kay chairman makakaasa po na susuportahan ko ang projects ni chairman at kung ano ang ikakabuti ng Commission,” Tangaro-Casingal said.

(I am thankful for the President for listening to the request of the chairman. We will support the projects of the chairman.)

Tangaro-Casingal's term expires on February 2, 2032, according to the appointment paper signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Her appointment will be subject to the approval of the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

Tangaro-Casingal has been the director of the Comelec Law Department since 2016. She is an election lawyer who served in the Comelec for 27 years.

Noli Pipo

Meanwhile, Marcos also appointed lawyer Noli Rafol Pipo, Comelec director for Region I, as the new poll body commissioner. He would be replacing ex-Commissioner Marlon Casquejo and would be placed under the Comelec Second Division.

Pipo has been serving at the Comelec for 32 years. He started as an election officer in Bangued, Abra, in 1993 before rising from the ranks and became regional election director in 2006.

According to Garcia, Pipo would take his oath on Wednesday, February 12.

Last week, Garcia called on Marcos to appoint “insiders” amid the retirement of Inting and ex-Commissioner Marlon Casquejo. — KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.