Casquejo named Comelec steering committee head for 2019 polls

“This is not something new to us from the field office because I have been doing this for many elections, twice manual elections and twice automated elections. So I will just give my inputs and the preparations with regards to the automation,” Newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Marlon Casquejo will be heading the Steering Committee for next year’s midterm elections.

This was announced by Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas who led Casquejo’s oath taking ceremony as the newest member of the poll body on Wednesday.

“We will immediately put him to test by appointing him as head of the Steering Committee for the 2019 elections. And when I offered it to Commissioner Casquejo, no hesitation, no complaints. He said ‘Yes, Sir’. That is the real mindset of a field official,” he said.

The poll body chief said that such decision was agreed upon by the members of the commission en banc.

While he was surprised over his designation, Casquejo assured that he is ready for the job.

“This is not something new to us from the field office because I have been doing this for many elections, twice manual elections and twice automated elections. So I will just give my inputs and the preparations with regards to the automation,” Casquejo added.

Aside from Abas, Commissioners Luie Guia and Rowena Guanzon together with other Comelec officials were also present during the ceremony.

Last week, Malacañang issued the ad interim appointment of Casquejo replacing retired Commissioner Christian Robert Lim.

Prior to his appointment, Casquejo was the Assistant Regional Election Director (ARED) of the Davao Region.

He also admitted he applied for the post and was surpised upon learning that he was appointed by President Duterte.

“I was not expecting that I will be picked. I am just an ordinary field officer and I just showed them what I can do on the field,” Casquejo said.

“One my thrust to prevent any doubts is transparency. That is just it… I am not going to sacrifice my integrity, which I took care of for 14 years,” he added.

Casquejo will be serving until February 2, 2025.