President Rodrigo Duterte has named a new Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson, and two new commissioners, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar announced on Tuesday, March 8.
Former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos secretary Saidamen Pangarungan was named Comelec chair. Pangarungan was former governor of Lanao del Sur province from 1988 to 1992.
Veteran election lawyer George Garcia and former Social Welfare undersecretary Aimee Neri were also named Comelec commissioners, Andanar said.
Garcia represented Senator Grace Poe during her disqualification case in the 2016 presidential elections, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his electoral protest following his defeat in the 2016 vice presidential race.
Meanwhile, the SC issued a TRO on Tuesday against the Comelec and its director and spokesperson James Jimenez in connection with the poll body’s “Oplan Baklas”, a press briefer said.
The SC issued the TRO pending the resolution of a petition to prohibit the Comelec from removing election materials that are privately owned and funded solely by volunteers and private citizens that are installed within their private properties.
The Comelec had been given 10 days upon receipt of notice to comment on the petition.*