Cayetano to question Brillantes' appointment before CA

Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said he will question before the Commission on Appointments (CA) the appointment of Sixto Brillantes Jr. as chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). “Brillantes is not part of the solution. He is part of the problem," said Cayetano, noting the new Comelec chief’s reputation as an election lawyer, having served as counsel for the likes of Andal Ampatuan Sr., an alleged murderer. Curiously, Brillantes also served as counsel of the Tinga family, the political rival of the Cayetanos in Taguig City. Cayetano, however, said there is nothing personal about his criticisms against the new Comelec chairman. “This is not personal. Kailangan niyang patunayan (He has to prove) that he’s the best man for the job," he said. Brillantes, who took his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Eduardo Nachura on Sunday, appealed to his critics to know him first before judging him. Cayetano pointed out that Brillantes was appointed through the efforts of a politician whom he said has plans either in the 2013 or 2016 national elections. He did not identify the policitian, but Sen. Sergio Osmeña III had earlier speculated that two opposing factions within President Benigno Aquino III’s political circle may have fielded Brillantes and fellow election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

“If we had a choice, the President could have appointed someone very idealistic, but they chose someone very pragmatic or practical," Cayetano said. Cayetano said he plans to bring up all of these issues when the CA deliberates on Brillantes’ appointment. Support However, at least six senators who are members of the CA, including its chairman Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, said they do not have any problem with Brillantes as Comelec chief. “I go along with the appointment. I know the guy. I have dealt with him. I have not heard any derogatory information about him. I will presume good faith in the appointing power," Enrile told reporters in an interview on Monday. Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente “Tito" Sotto and Senators Edgardo Angara and Miriam Defensor-Santiago likewise said Brillantes has a very good chance of being confirmed by the CA. “He has a very good track record," noted Sotto. “He is one of the top election lawyers in the country, his qualifications are worth looking into," said Angara. Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, chairman of the CA committee that will handle Brillantes’ appointment, said he prefers Brillantes over Macalintal, who used to lawyer for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Choosing between the two, Brillantes or Macalintal, I’d prefer Brillantes. Because Atty. Macalintal has been lawyering for [Arroyo] for how many years. If it had been Macalintal, he will face rough sailing in the CA, especially coming from me," he said in a separate interview. Sen. Ralph Recto, for his part, asked the public and the critics to give Brillantes a chance. “Whether we like it or not, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes has won the trust and confidence of the President. Chairman Brillantes deserves all the break to be able to do his job," he said in a statement. The CA The Senate president chairs the CA with 12 senators and 12 congressmen as members. The commission’s duty, mandated by the 1987 Constitution, is to confirm appointments made by the President: heads of the Executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and officers of the Armed Forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, but not the Ombudsman and Supreme Court justices. The CA discusses and deliberates nominations at the standing committee level and at the plenary session. Nominations or appointments may end up being confirmed, rejected, or bypassed. - KBK, GMANews.TV