Duterte picks another frat brother as new Comelec commissioner

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Rey Bulay FB page Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/11/11/20211111-rey-bulay.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Duterte has nominated lawyer Rey Bulay, his fraternity brother, to fill up one of the 4 vacancies in the Comelec&#x27;s 7-man en banc. Lex Talionis Fraternitas&#x27; <em>FB page/Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE) </strong>— President Rodrigo Duterte has nominated lawyer Rey Bulay, his fraternity brother, to fill up one of the 4 vacancies in the Commission on Elections&#x27; (Comelec) 7-man en banc.</p><p>Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement that Duterte has approved the nomination of Bulay as a new commissioner in the poll body. </p><p>&quot;We are confident that Atty. Bulay will ensure the conduct of honest, orderly, credible and peaceful elections,&quot; Roque said. </p><p>If appointed, Bulay will serve as commissioner until February 2, 2027. </p><p>Bulay, a graduate of San Beda Law and member of Lex Talionis Fraternitas just like Duterte, previously served as commissioner of ​Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). He was later appointed as Manila’s chief prosecutor.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/sodalitasducumfuturorum/posts/698552670712695" data-width="auto"> </div><p>Bulay will have to go through the Commission on Appointments before he can officially sit as Comelec commissioner. </p><p>In a statement, poll watchdog Kontra Daya said Bulay has no clear track record on election lawyering and advocacy. </p><p>&quot;That he is a fellow Bedan is clear but his track record in election lawyering and advocacy is not. Being a Muntinlupa councilor (1988-1998; 2007-2010) also does not make him qualified to be part of Comelec,&quot; Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said.</p><p>According to Arao, Bulay&#x27;s appointment demonstrates Duterte&#x27;s pattern of putting &quot;yes people&quot; in the poll body.</p><p>&quot;Duterte apparently wants a Comelec composed of &#x27;yes people&#x27; based on past and current choices of commissioners,&quot; Arao said.</p><p>By February 2022, Comelec will be left with commissioners Soccoro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, and Aimee Ferolino, all Duterte appointees, and all from Davao City.</p><p>Watchdogs and civil society groups have raised concerns over the implication of Duterte&#x27;s appointments to the Comelec ahead of the May 2022 elections, with one legal expert suggesting &quot;public vetting.&quot;</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 &#x27;game-changer&#x27; Comelec appointments sought</a></li></ul>

Bulay will have to go through the Commission on Appointments before he can officially sit as Comelec commissioner. 

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Duterte picks another frat brother as new Comelec commissioner

Duterte picks another frat brother as new Comelec commissioner

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 11, 2021 07:56 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 11, 2021 11:13 PM PHT

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Commission on Elections

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Rey Bulay

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