Impact of Salalima resignation on 2019 elections less — Comelec

Rodolfo Salalima (Photo by Department of Information and Communications Technology – Department of Information and Communications Technology, Public Domain)

MANILA — An official of the Commission of Elections (COMELEC) said the resignation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and COMELEC Advisory Council (CAC) chairman Rodolfo Salalima might have a minimal effect on the preparations for the 2019 midterms polls.

“Hopefully, minimal effect naman. First, the CAC is still functioning; second, much of the groundwork for CAC’s participation in election work has been accomplished,” said COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez in an interview.

He added, “Unless Sec. Salalima’s successor reverses direction drastically, that work remains applicable.”

On Thursday, Malacanang announced that the member of the Duterte Cabinet has resigned because of personal and work-related reasons.

Aside from the DICT, the CAC is composed of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Polytechnic University of the Philippines representing the academe; the Chief Information Officers Forum Foundation; the Philippine Electronics and Telecommunications Federation and the Philippine Society of IT Educators representing ICT professional organization.

The members from non-government electoral organizations are Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

Under Republic Act No. 9369, the CAC is mandated to recommend to the Comelec “the most appropriate, secure, applicable and cost-effective technology to be applied in the AES.” (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)