Palace names 2 new Comelec commissioners ahead of May polls

Malacañang on Monday confirmed the appointment of two new commissioners to the seven-member Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to replace those who retired.

President Marcos named Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, former head of the poll body’s law department, to the post vacated by Commissioner Socorro Inting.

In a Viber message to reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also confirmed the appointment of lawyer Noli Pipo to the post left by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, who reached retirement age this month.

Both Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo are Comelec insiders who rose from the ranks.

The 61-year-old Pipo started as an election officer of Bangued town in Abra in 1993, before becoming provincial election officer for Ilocos Sur in 1996, and assistant regional director in 2004. He is a native of Bantay, Ilocos Sur, who has been with the Comelec since 1993.

Assignments

On the other hand, Casingal, who took her oath before Comelec Chair George Garcia on Monday, had headed the Comelec law department since 2016. She has served the poll body for 27 years.

Casingal will be under the Comelec’s First Division alongside Commissioners Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio and Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. Pipo will be assigned to the Second Division with Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis. He is scheduled to take his oath on Wednesday.

Should both be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, they will serve as commissioners until Feb. 2, 2032.

Garcia thanked the President for granting the Comelec’s request to appoint long-time career officials as replacements, saying this was “a big boost to the morale of Comelec personnel.”

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Having insiders named as top officials would also help the poll body in its preparations for the May 12 national and local elections, he said.

“In disposing of cases, it would be better if we are complete because there are times when there are split decisions and opinions, and we can’t reach a majority,” he added.

Majority rules

The appointments of Casingal and Pipo mean that of the seven-member Comelec en banc—which decides on election cases—five are now Marcos appointees. The President named three in 2022: Garcia, Celis and Maceda.

By February 2027 or a year before Mr. Marcos steps down, all members of the poll body would be his appointees.