Be transparent, Melo advises new Comelec chief

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo on Monday advised newly appointed poll body chief Sixto Brillantes Jr. to be transparent, amid questions on the latter's ties as a former election lawyer. Melo said that Brillantes should be transparent in reassigning Comelec personnel, specifically election officers, because he might be construed as favoring some politicians who used to be his clients. "Sinabi ko sa kanya, sa aking tingin this is the most spot na medyo delikado, maraming-maraming magsasalita. Kailangan, very very careful (I told him that this is the spot which is the most dangerous, many people will talk. You have to be very, very careful)," he said in an iinterview with reporters on Monday. Brillantes had served as President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's legal counsel in the last presidential elections. On behalf of Aquino, Brillantes sought the disqualification of Vetellano Acosta of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, whose name would have been printed before Aquino's on the ballot, from the presidential race. Last week, Senator Sergio Osmeña III claimed that those allied with the Noy-Bi (Noynoy Aquino-Jejomar Binay) faction pushed for the services of Brillantes while the Liberal Party pushed for Romulo Macalintal, a former election lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Both Brillantes and Macalintal denied Osmeña's claim. [See: Contenders for top Comelec post belie Palace faction war]

In the interview with reporters, Melo, said he was confident that Brillantes wouldn't deliberately let his connections to former clients affect his judgment. "You know very professional itong present chairman natin. Makikita naman ng tao yan (You know our present chairman is very professional. The people will see that)," he said. He likewise said that he didn't have to remind the new Comelec chairman of the things he needs to do or what he needs to prioritize. "You know what to do. You can handle it," he said. Melo resigned from his post effective Saturday, two weeks early from the initial date of resignation. His seven-year term was supposed to end in 2015. Last November, however, he said that he will quit his post effective Jan. 31, 2011. (See: Melo quits post as Comelec chairman effective Jan. 2011) With more time on his hands, the former Comelec chairman said he plans to travel more. "Gusto ko magpunta sa Africa. Gusto ko magpunta sa South America (I want to go to Africa. I want to go to South America)," he said. He noted, however, that he would be open to considering accepting another government post if it would be just a "special assignment" rather than a full-time job. — RSJ, GMANews.TV