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Comelec says 'not crippled' by en banc vacancies ahead of May polls

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Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Comelec en banc ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/02/03/20220203-comelec-en-banc.jpg"/><figcaption>The Comelec&#x27;s supposedly 7-man en banc only has 4 members as of now: Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay. <em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would remain functional even if there are only 4 members in the 7-man en banc just 3 months away from the national elections in May, the poll body&#x27;s spokesperson said Thursday.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/02/22/comelec-chairman-2-pang-commissioners-nagretiro-na">Comelec chairman, 2 pang commissioners nagretiro na</a></li></ul><p>&quot;The Comelec is not crippled. It makes it a little difficult but it&#x27;s not crippled, we can continue,&quot; Jimenez said in a press briefing.</p><p>On Wednesday, chairman Sheriff Abas and commissioners Antonio Kho and Rowena Guanzon retired from Comelec as they finished their 7-year term. </p><p>This leaves the Comelec with only 4 commissioners namely: </p><ul>	<li>Socorro Inting</li>	<li>Marlon Casquejo</li>	<li>Aimee Ferolino</li>	<li>Rey Bulay</li></ul><p>All four are also appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte, and 3 of them are from Davao. </p><p>According to Jimenez, the public should not be worried of the 4-man composition of en banc because all elections-related policies are already in place. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/22/comelec-urged-to-quell-public-unease-amid-marcos-jr-cases">Comelec urged to &#x27;quell public unease&#x27; amid Marcos Jr. cases</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Remember when we talk about running elections, we&#x27;re talking about setting in motion preparations that were put in place while there was still 7 of them... We&#x27;re at the stage when we&#x27;re just implementing these procedures and processes,&quot; Jimenez noted. </p><p>However, Jimenez admitted that the remaining commissioners must always be present to reach a quorum and &quot;get anything done.&quot;</p><p>&quot;They have to have a quorum at all times because when a matter gets elevated to them, they&#x27;re going to have to sit as quorum to get anything done,&quot; he said. </p><p>Jimenez added that filling the 3 vacancies remains an &quot;urgent&quot; issue.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/25/21/public-vetting-of-comelec-appointments-sought">Public vetting of Comelec appointments sought</a></li></ul><p>Malacañang earlier said Duterte already has a shortlist of candidates that he may appoint at the poll body.</p><p>The Philippines is set to hold is national and local elections on May 9.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P1WNhs-hyXc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Comelec's supposedly 7-man en banc only has 4 members as of now: Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay.

Comelec says 'not crippled' by en banc vacancies ahead of May polls

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Comelec says 'not crippled' by en banc vacancies ahead of May polls

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 03, 2022 05:43 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 03, 2022 05:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Comelec

Commission on Elections

halalan 2022

halalan2022

halalan2022

James Jimenez

Socorro Inting

Marlon Casquejo

Aimee Ferolino

Rey Bulay

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