Comelec welcomes Kho appointment as new commissioner

“The Commission on Elections welcomes the appointment of Antonio T. Kho, Jr. as Commissioner,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a statement Friday. (Photo: Philippine Competition Commission/Facebook)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) welcomed the appointment of Justice Undersecretary Antonio Kho as its new commissioner, completing the seven-man commission.

“The Commission on Elections welcomes the appointment of Antonio T. Kho, Jr. as Commissioner,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a statement Friday.

“The appointment of Commissioner Kho rounds up the composition of the seven-member en Banc as the COMELEC goes full steam ahead with its preparations for the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections,” he added.

For its part, the Comelec-Employee Union (EU) believed that with the completion of the body, its members would be able to expedite their tasks including the preparations for the next year’s midterm polls.

“With the Commission now complete, it is expected that the Comelec will now be able to do better in its preparations for the upcoming National and Local Elections in 2019,” said Mac Ramirez, president of the Comelec Employees Union.

“The Comelec-EU welcomes the appointment of Comm. Antonio Kho Jr.,” he added.

At the same time, the poll body’s rank and file employees are looking forward to working with the newest addition to the members of the Comelec en banc.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte has named Kho as the new Comelec commissioner, replacing the position vacated by Sheriff Abas who is now Comelec chairman.

Kho is the fourth appointee of Duterte to serve in the Commission aside from Abas and Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo.

The other members of the Commission en banc are Commissioners Luie Guia, Al Parreño and Rowena Guanzon.