The Commission on Appointments (CA) nodded the appointments of some government officials, including two Commission on Elections (Comelec) appointees.
The CA granted the appointments of the following officials:
- Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis
- Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr.
- Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista
- Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar
- National Economic Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan
Celis told CA that he had consistently advocated modernized electoral exercises, noting that his advocacy is not limited to writing over writing hundreds of articles to comply with and implement automated election system law.
He added that he contributed his technical expertise in crafting the provisions of RA 9369 or the Automated Election Law.
On August 15, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Celis.
Moreover, Celis was a co-convener of Automated Election System Watch and became its spokesperson in 2011.
Meanwhile, Maceda swore to work on the election gaps and rules that need revisiting in light of the changing political and socioeconomic environment.
He is a renowned election lawyer and election law professor at Arellano University and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and a son of the late Senate President Ernesto Maceda Sr.
According to Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, it is an advantage for the poll body as they can do many things and implement many projects.
Meanwhile, the Comelec together with the management of Robinson Malls and SM malls have inked separate deals for the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) pilot test in their malls in Metro Manila, Bicol, and Tacloban.
Registration in RAP will begin on Dec. 17 and will last until Jan. 22, 2023. The activity will only be held every Saturday and Sunday, except for Dec. 24, 25, and 31, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023.
