New Comelec chairman assumes post, vows reforms

MANILA – Veteran election lawyer Sixto T. Brillantes, whose clients included President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay no less, took over on Monday as the new chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the resignation of Justice Jose Melo from the post.

Earlier on, Brillantes took his oath of office before Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura.

Brillantes vowed to initiate reforms in the Comelec, especially its organizational structure.

He said he was earlier scheduled to visit his daughter and grandchildren in the United States for a much needed vacation but has to forego with it and instead ask her daughter to visit him in Manila.

Brillantes said lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who was his chief rival for the post, gave way to him. He said Macalintal is his personal friend and he will continue to consult him even in personal capacity.

Next month, Comelec Commissioners Nicodemo T. Ferrer and Gregorio Y. Larrazabal will retire and the President has started the search for their replacement.

Under Chairman Melo, the first national automated elections were held with President Aquino and Vice President Binay as the winners.

Brillantes said he will propose the use of machines earlier purchased but mothballed by Comelec, instead of the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scanners) machines which were leased for use during the last May elections. The Comelec, however, has the option to buy the PCOS machines for P2 billion.

The Comelec under Brillantes will supervise the elections in August in tghe Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the special elections for congressman in Cagayan. ARMM first held its automated elections in 2008.