Brillantes prefers an insider to be his successor

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. (left) presents the proposed Comelec Budget for 2015 during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday (Sept. 4, 2014) at the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. In right photo is Palawan 3rd District Rep. Douglas S. Hagedorn. (PNA photos by Gil S. Calinga)

MANILA  — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he would prefer a senior commissioner to be his successor after he retires early next month.

In an interview, the poll body chief said he would rather have an insider or the much senior one from the commission to succeed his position, if President Benigno Aquino III will not appoint Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to the position.

De Lima, together with Commissioner Luie Guia and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura, top three names included in the survey conducted by the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) as possible appointees to the chairmanship post.

“I can understand Guia kasi he came from Namfrel and he worked for Chairman Christian Monsod before. Pero Guia is a junior commissioner here. Hindi magandang tingnan… ako, if you will ask me, kung hindi si Leila, I would rather say it should be Commissioner Christian Robert Lim kasi siya ang senior. Kung may appoint na insider among the commissioners, I would prefer that Lim be the one appointed as chairman rather than junior commissioner,” he said.

Brillantes noted that he did not recommend any names for his successor and for the position of commissioners, saying that it is the prerogative of the President.

“Hindi ako magrecommend. This is only the prerogative of the President unless he asks for some advice or consult pero wala pa naman,” he said.

The poll body chairman also reiterated his earlier statement that an insider would be a good choice especially for the commissioner posts since the appointee/appointees already know the job, he/she does need to study.

“When we talk of commissioners, I always say it should be an insider. Reason hindi na nya kailangan mag aral pa. Kung isa ‘yan sa aming mga director ang mapromote hindi na sila magaadjust kasi alam na nila ang trabaho e. Only for convenience. Kasi kung totally bago ang ilalagay mo na walang experience sa election matagal pa ang period of adjustment,” he said.

Brillantes and Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph are set to retire on Feb. 2.

With their retirement, the seven-man panel will be left with four members, namely Commissioners Lim, Guia Al Parreno and Arthur Lim.