NEWLY named Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Melo yesterday said he will not assume his new post until his appointment is confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

President Arroyo announced on Friday night in Switzerland her choice of the former Supreme Court justice.

"Hintayin na muna natin yung confirmation ng CA bago tayo maupo tutal sa February 2 pa naman mawawalan ng chairman ang Comelec," Melo said.

Melo said he will train his sights primarily on the automation of the electoral system and the 2010 elections.

"Itong dalawang ito ang pagtu-tuunan natin ng pansin dahil kapag pumaltos tayo dito bale wala din lahat," said Melo. "Yun kasing mga electoral contest, financial and administrative decisions, maba-babalewala yan lahat kung sablay naman ang eleksyon ng bansa."

Melo was one of the two recommendees of civil society groups. The other was lawyer Carlos Medina.

Palace sources said those short-listed for the Comelec chairmanship were Melo, Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, former Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino, former justice secretary Artemio Tuquero, and Medina, co-convenor of the election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections.

The same sources said Zuno’s papers have been signed but as commissioner.

Former elections chairman Christian Monsod, who headed a search committee composed of a broad coalition of electoral reform groups, said they are happy their nominee was chosen by Arroyo.

"We are glad that retired Justice Melo was selected, having independence, credibility and capability," Monsod said.

The poll body’s spokesman, James Jimenez, agree that Melo would need CA confirmation before assuming the post.

"Once the Congress is in session, an appointee cannot assume a post without the CA’s approval," Jimenez said. "Otherwise he will just be serving the unfinished term of Chairman Abalos."

Jimenez added that Commissioner Moslemen Macarambon assumed his post immediately because the Congress was on recess. But he needed a new appointment when he was bypassed by the CA.

Congress is set to resume session today.

Arroyo, announcing her choice over the weekend, said Melo was "credible" in his report on the extrajudicial killings of political activists and media persons.

"All – even the UN – they all took off from his own report, and when we religiously carried out his recommendations, the unexplained killings went down by 83 percent in one year. He’s a very very credible person," she said.

Presidential management staff director Cerge Remonde said Melo will bring to the Comelec decades of a proven track record in competence, probity and integrity.

"The fact that he is already in twilight of his years means he is already beyond partisan politics. His dedication will be to public service," Remonde said.

President Arroyo said she is in "no hurry" to appoint the new Comelec commissioners, adding Malacañang’s search committee will continue the vetting process.

Last October, Abalos resigned due to allegations of his involvement in the controversial national broadband network project. Acting chairman Resurreccion Borra and Commissioner Florentino Tuason are both set to retire on Saturday. – Gerard Naval and Regina Bengco