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VP Binay admits recommending Brillantes for Comelec chief


Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday admitted that he recommended veteran election lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr. for the top Commission on Elections post. "I was among those who strongly urged President Aquino to appoint Atty. Brillantes and I am glad that the President had considered my humble opinion in selecting the new Comelec chairman," Binay said in a statement on Monday. Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, one of President Benigno Aquino III's political allies, had earlier speculated that two opposing factions within President Aquino's political circle may have fielded Brillantes and fellow election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. Osmeña said Brillantes may have enjoyed the support of the faction that also supported Binay for vice president in the May 10 polls last year. Binay is not a member of Aquino's Liberal Party. Aquino's running mate, former Senator Mar Roxas II, is contesting Binay's win before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. Knowledge of election laws But in his statement, Binay did not did not elaborate on his decision to recommend Brillantes for the top Comelec post. He, however, noted that no one can question Brillantes' experience and knowledge of election law. "His professionalism and integrity is unassailable. These are the traits that he will bring to the Comelec," he said. He likewise said that the new Comelec chairman can carry out the "much needed" reforms in the country's election laws and in the poll body. "Such reforms are needed to further reinforce the people’s trust in the Comelec, in our election system, and in our democracy," he said. Binay-Brillantes-Escudero tie-up Binay and Brillantes were in the same camp during the failed presidential candidacy of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 polls: Binay being the campaign manager and Brillantes, the election lawyer. Another Aquino ally, Senator Francis Escudero was Poe's spokesman at the time. GMANews.TV also tried getting a comment from Escudero, who also reportedly recommended Brillantes for the post. However, the senator hasn't obliged as of posting time. Earlier in the day, Brillantes said Roxas also met with him last Friday to discuss his nomination. He said President Aquino suggested the meeting because Roxas seemed to have doubts regarding his leanings. Both Roxas and Escudero are reportedly eyeing the presidential post in 2016, but Brillantes said this does not have anything to do with him because his term ends in 2015, a year before the presidential polls. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV

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