Filtered By: Topstories
News

Comelec OKs Palace request for exemptions to appointment ban


(Updated 7:57 p.m.) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved a Malacañang request for some exemptions to the appointment ban being imposed because of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections next month. In an eight-page resolution dated September 27, the Comelec en banc granted Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.’s request to allow the Palace to fill up 143 government’s positions despite the appointments ban. The government posts—mostly directorial jobs in different government agencies, ambassadorial posts and judicial positions in various municipal and regional trial courts—were enumerated in a letter sent by Ochoa to Comelec on September 24. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacanang submitted the request “based on the fact that the barangay elections is a non-partisan exercise." The Comelec said in its resolution that it found Ochoa’s request as “sufficient" since “these appointments are not only urgent, but essential to the functioning of the offices or agencies concerned." The poll body added that the appointments can be made as long as they “shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the barangay and SK elections" to be held on October 25. In an earlier resolution, the Comelec enforced the appointments ban from September 25 to November 10 because of the coming elections.-Jam Sisante and Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT