MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang’s shortlist of nominees to the two vacant seats in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) includes some “insiders,”according to Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr.
He said Comelec law department director Rafael Rafanan, personnel department director Adolfo Ibañez and Bicol regional election director Zacarias Zaragoza were on the shortlist.
Brillantes led Comelec officials Wednesday in ceremonies to mark the retirement of Commissioners Gregorio Larrazabal and Nicodemo Ferrer, whose terms expire Thursday, leaving the poll body with only five commissioners.
Brillantes said two “outsiders” who are in the short list are lawyer Carlos Medina Jr., a member of the truth commission and co-convener of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections; and former education undersecretary Chito Gascon, director general of the ruling Liberal Party.(report from Jerome Aning, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
