WITH barely three weeks left before the barangay and SK elections, a former commissioner on Tuesday asked the Commission on Elections who is in charge of the coming political exercise.
In a statement, former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said that, as standard procedure, the Comelec chairman should be in charge of the whole election preparation.
“If the Comelec chairman refuses to take charge, the en banc should designate a commissioner in charge to provide direction and leadership,” Larrazabal said.
He made his statement even as the Comelec on Tuesday warned it will disqualify candidates who will overspend during the elections on May 14.
The commission also reminded the candidates to file their statements of election contributions and expenditures not later than June 13, 2018, or risk being perpetually disqualified to hold public office.
“©Win or lose, all candidates must file their statements, according to Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez.”©”©
Commissioner Al Parreño replaced Commissioner Robert Lim as acting chairman after the latter retired on Feb. 2.
However, it is not clear if the new acting chairman is handling the whole preparation since Parreño has been unavailable to discuss any election matter before the public.
President Rodrigo Duterte has again renominated Commissioner Sheriff Abas as Comelec chairman following the failure of the Commission on Appointments to confirm his nomination before the Congress session ended.
Based on an order dated April 6, 2018, Malacañang renominated Abas as poll chief, citing provision os Section 16, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution.
A current Comelec official and insider told the Manila Standard that Abas was no longer interested in the chairmanship.
“He never even assumed as chairman. He was okay in the commissionership,” the insider said.