Give new Comelec chief a chance, says poll lawyer

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Tuesday asked the public to give newly appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. a chance to prove his worth. Macalintal, who was also considered for the top Comelec post, said critics should not immediately judge Brillantes but instead, pray that the new poll body chief would do well in his job. "I think we should give him a chance to prove his worth as chairman of the Comelec," Macalintal said at a forum Tuesday organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) held in Intramuros, Manila. Former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod was also supposed to attend the forum but he failed to show up, leaving organizers puzzled as he did not send a word about his absence. On Monday, Brillantes asked his critics to get to know him first before judging him. Brillantes, who served as President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s legal counsel in the last presidential elections, took his oath of office Sunday afternoon before Supreme Court Associate Justice Eduardo Nachura. Brillantes replaced Jose Melo, who was supposed to retire in 2015. Brillantes will serve the unexpired term of Melo. Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, one of President Benigno Aquino's political allies, had earlier speculated that two opposing factions within President Benigno Aquino III’s political circle may have fielded Brillantes and Macalintal. Best suited for the post Meanwhile, Macalintal said "Atty. Sixto Brillantes is best suited for that position. We are all expecting that there will be a radical change at the Comelec for the better." He also denied that his "nomination" to the poll body's top post was suggested by anyone. According to Macalintal, Aquino just approached him to ask whether he was interested in the position and whether he has any plans and programs for the Comelec. But after talking it over with the members of his family, Macalintal said they agreed to not let him run for the post. "Ang desisyon ay hindi pa ito ang time (Our decision is that it's not yet the time)," he said, adding that he recommended Brillantes for the post. Last Monday, Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said that he will question Brillantes' nomination before the Commission on Appointments because of his ties with his former clients. For his part, Brillantes said he plans to meet with Cayetano to explain his side. But to Macalintal, an explanation was unnecessary. "Just be ready on the hearing itself," he said referring to Brillantes. He added that Brillantes need not explain anything to defeated vice presidential bet Mar Roxas, whom the poll body chief supposedly met before President Aquino gave the go signal for his appointment. Also, he said the new poll body chief need not inhibit himself from cases wherein he was involved. "With his experience and knowledge, I think he can judge with utmost impartiality," he added. He suggested that Brillantes should focus on the improvement of the computerized election system, the dismissal of baseless petitions, and the utlitization of the machines purchased from MegaPacific for P1.3 billion. On the other hand, Brillantes said he has around 25 cases pending with the Comelec on behalf of his former clients. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV