TINIYAK ng pamunuan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) hindi magiging hadlang at walang magiging negatibong epekto ang pagreretiro ng tatlong senior officials ng ahensiya sa maayos na pagsasagawa ng May 2022 Elections.
Ayon kay Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, tuloy tuloy at matagal ng napaghandaan ng ahensiya ang mga ginagawang aksyon upang walang maging anumang problema sa gaganaping eleksyon sa Mayo.
“Remember that when running the elections, you’re talking about setting in motion preparation that was put in place while there were six of them. Now, we are at the stage where we are implementing these processes. A lot has gone from level of policy to level of operations. That’s what we are doing now,” sabi ni Jimenez sa virtual press briefing.
Nagpahayag din ng kumpiyansa si Jimenez na makakayanan ng mga natitirang opisyal na sina acting chair Socorro Inting at Commissioners Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino at Rey Bulay ang mga hamon.
“They have to have a quorum at all times. Because if a matter is elevated to them, they’re going to have a quorum to get things done. That’s the challenge. But in terms of getting things going, there is no problem,” dagdag pa nito.
Sinabi pa ni Jimenez, hindi maglalabas ng apela ang poll body para sa agarang appointment ng mga bagong commissioner.
“We trust that the executive is aware of the timelines we are dealing with, and the demands on the new appointees when they do come. We will leave it to the discretion of the appointing authority,” ayon pa kay Jimenez.
Nitong Lunes, sinabi ng Malacañang na may shortlist na si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa posibleng appointees na maaring pumalit sa tatlong nagretirong opisyal na sina Chairperson Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Rowena Guanzon at Antonio Kho Jr.
Samantala, idinagdag ni Jimenez na naghahain siya ng resignation bilang tagapagsalita ng Comelec upang bigyan ng pagkakataon si Inting na pumili ng sinumang nais niyang italaga sa posisyon.
“I do it every time there is a change in chairmanship whether it’s’ actual chairmanship or acting chairman, I offer my resignation as spokesperson,” ani Jimenez.
Gayunpaman, tatanggapin pa rin nito ang nasabing posisyon kung siya ay muling pipiliin. PAUL ROLDAN