PRESIDENT Arroyo on Friday created a
screening committee to select the new chairman of the Commission
on Elections (Comelec).
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the panel
would be headed by Bernardino Abes, chairman of Arroyo’s
screening committee for presidential appointees; with
businessmen Jose Concepcion Jr. and Vicente Jayme, newspaper
columnist Carmen Pedrosa, and labor leader Democrito Mendoza as
members.
Pedrosa is a Charter change advocate and
leader of the People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and
Action (Pirma). Jayme is a former finance secretary and former
president of the Makati Business Club. Mendoza is president of
the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.
Bunye said the committee will screen
potential candidates and submit a shortlist, without ranking,
not later than Dec. 15.
Calls have been made for the appointment of
people with unquestionable integrity in the Comelec. The
appointment of former regional trial court judge Moslemen
Macarambon as Comelec Commissioner last Nov. 1 had drawn much
flak.
Opposition senator Panfilo Lacson has called
Macarambon as a protégé of former elections commissioner
Virgilio Garcillano who allegedly instigated cheating operations
in the 2004 presidential race.
Lacson has threatened to block Macarambon’s confirmation
before the Commission on Appointments. – Regina Bengco
