The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is undermanned, according to Senator Francis Tolentino on Sunday, stressing the need to appoint new commissioners ahead of the May elections.
"Kailangan na pong mag-appoint kasi undermanned sila eh," Tolentino told DZRH on Sunday.
(There is a need to appoint because they are undermanned.)
"Administratively, pinaghahati-hatian po nila yung assignment per region, per preparation, so ngayong kulang sila - apat lang sila, palagay ko po napakahirap pong hatian 'yan," he said.
(Administratively, they are dividing the assignment per region, per preparation, so now that they are down to four, I think it will be difficult to make divisions.)
He made the remarks after the retirement of Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho, Jr., well as COMELEC chairman Sheriff Abas on February 2. It left three vacancies months ahead of a critical national and local elections this May.
According to Tolentino, there should be new commissioners before the official start of the local campaign period on March 25, with a lot of possible appointees who he said are ready to serve the country.
"Kung ako ang tatanungin, ang deadline po dito bago po sumapit yung local elections campaign dapat may nakatalaga na," he said.
(If you were to ask me, the deadline for new appointees should be before the start of the local elections campaign.)
"Marami pong handang magsilbi, lalong-lalo na napakahalaga po niyong darating na halalan sa Mayo," he added.
(There are a lot of people who want to serve, especially since the upcoming elections in May is very important.)
Commissioner Socorro Inting has been formally designated as COMELEC's acting chairperson until a new one is appointed, according to COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez.
The poll body's division has also been reorganized, with Inting presiding over the First Division with Commissioner Aimee Ferolino as a member.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Marlon Casquejo was transferred to the Second Division as its presiding commissioner, with Commissioner Rey Bulay as a member.
