Press Release
October 6, 2007

NAME BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO COMELEC - VILLAR

Senate President Manny Villar said President Arroyo's choice for the new head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would mirror her resolve to clean up and modernize elections in the country .

"The credibility of the new Comelec chairman would reflect on the President's determination to overhaul the poll body," Villar, Nacionalista Party president, said.

"If Chairman Abalos' replacement will be a known partisan for the administration, it will send out the signal that Malacanang would continue to bear pressure on the body," Villar said.

Villar said the integrity of the replacements to the vacancies in the Comelec - two at present and two early next year - "is crucial to the unfinished task of reforming the poll body."

"We hope the persons the President will appoint personify reforms and restore confidence in the Comelec," Villar said.

"The public is keenly watching if the new set of Comelec commissioners are not tainted with electoral anomalies and represent impartiality," Villar said.

Villar hopes that persons President Arroyo will name to the constitutionally independent body are known for their independence, honesty and competence.

"If the President treats electoral reforms as a key legacy, then what better way to show her commitment to this than by naming Comelec officials who can really ensure clean, peaceful and honest elections," he said.

Prior to Abalos' resignation as Comelec chairman Monday, the seventh and last seat in commission was vacant. Two other commissioners - Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason - are set to retire early next year.

During the weekly Kapihan sa Senado, Villar supported the proposal to make the nomination to the Commission transparent in order to give the public the opportunity to evaluate the nominees. He also expressed his preference for someone who is not identified with the administration to fill up the Comelec vacancy.

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