Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today batted anew for the appointment of an opposition nominee to the 7th and last remaining slot in the Commission on Elections to allay public apprehension that the May national and local polls may be marred by rampant cheating.
Pimentel also warned Malacañang against appointing a 7th election commissioner who falls short of the basic criteria of integrity, independence and non-partisanship in the wake of fears that the Palace may be grooming somebody to step into the dubious role.
He emphasized that the last vacant Comelec post should be filled soonest so that the appointment can be submitted, reviewed and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments before Congress adjourns for the election break.
Pimentel said the appointment of an opposition nominee will make a big difference in terms of helping restore public confidence in the Comelec which has been badly eroded by its mishandling of the 2004 presidential race and the scandalous P1.3 billion poll automation project.
He said this is an option that the Palace should seriously consider in the face of the overwhelming public sentiment for a revamp of the Comelec and the obstinate refusal of Chairman Benjamin Abalos to heed the demand for his resignation.
We know that the Comelec is not supposed to be a partisan body. But since it has been acting in a very partisan manner, we thought that perhaps as a compromise way of dealing with the situation, the oppositions proposal for its nominee to sit in the Comelec should be granted, Pimentel said.
He called on Mrs. Arroyo to emulate the magnanimous act of the late President Ferdinand Macros who, in response to the recommendation of the political opposition, the Catholic Church and other sectors, appointed its nominee Ramon Felipe as Comelec Commissioner prior to the election for members of the Batasang Pambansa in 1984.
Pimentel articulated the demand of the united opposition for a revamp of the Comelec through the resignation or removal of three remaining Comelec members Chairman Abalos and Commissioner Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason who were involved in the anomalous election automation deal with MegaPacific consortium.
Those three remaining members of the old Comelec probably have to be eased out. They should resign so that new appointments can be made.
He said the opposition has no objection to the three Comelec commissioners appointed after the 2004 polls Romeo Brawner, Rene Sarmiento and Nicodemo Ferrer staying put since we have not seen them committing anything wrong.
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