Palace still looking for ‘right people’ to head Comelec, COA, Civil Service Commission

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda

MANILA — Malacañang is still looking for the right people to replace the heads of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commision on Audit (COA) and Civil Service Commission (CSC), Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Wednesday.

“Pinag-aaralan ‘yung mga appointments – kung sino ang papalit doon (We are carefully studying the appointments — who will take over). These are very sensitive positions. As you know, we are looking at the heads of independent constitutional commissions. So, we are looking for the right people for the job,“ Lacierda said during the daily press briefing.

Last week, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes retired after his seven-year term ended while COA chairperson Grace Pulido Tan and CSC Commissioner Francisco Duque III have both resigned.

Lacierda said it will take time to fill up the vacant posts.

“It certainly will take time to find the right people who just vacated these important positions. You’ve got the likes of, for instance, Chairman Grace Tan, who has established a very sterling reputation. So, you would like to have someone who has the same level of integrity and reputation as Chairman Grace Tan,” he explained.

“Because this is a public position, certainly, we are looking at everyone who is qualified, so the bottom line is we are looking at a person who will lead the commissions in a manner that have been left behind by those who led them previously,” he added.

Regarding the case of Department of Health Acting Secretary Janette Garin, Lacierda said there is no decision yet if she will be appointed as chief.

“We will just wait for the official announcement. Wala pang (still no) final word and we cannot make any statement other than what would be official and conveyed to us,” he said.