PNS — MALACANANG has yet to confirm the appointment of election lawyer Sixto Brillantes as the new chairman of the Commission on Elections.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte yesterday said they are still waiting for the announcement from the Office of the Executive Secretary as to who President Benigno Aquino III has chosen to be the new Comelec chief.
“We’d like to defer comment to the ES (Executive Secretary).. Ang instruction po and official anunsyo sa office ni Executive Secretary,” Valte said.
Asked yesterday if he has chosen Brillantes as Comelec chairman, President Aquino said in a text message: “Will issue a statement by tomorrow.”
Brillantes announced on Saturday that the President had signed his appointment papers and that he would report for work today.
The President earlier confirmed having interviewed Brillantes, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and lawyer Carlos Medina for the post to be vacated by Jose Melo. Macalintal said he rejected the President’s offer after consulting with his family.
Melo, whose resignation was supposed to be effective on January 31, wrote Aquino on January 14 to say he was leaving office earlier on January 15. He said this will allow his successor to assume his post in an ad interim capacity.
When asked if it was inappropriate for Brillantes to announce his appointment without waiting for Malacañang’s go-signal, Valte refused to comment.
“Dahil di natin alam kung ano nangyari over the weekend di tayo komportable na magbigay ng komento,” she said.
Valte said she was also not aware when the President will name the replacements for the two other Comelec posts to be left vacant with the retirement of commissioners Gregorio Larrazabal and Nicodemo Ferrer.