Manila Standard Today
THE Commission on Appointments deferred the confirmation of Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes for the third time on Wednesday taking into account the opposition filed by Comelec director Ferdinand Rafanan.
Brillantes was even placed on a tighter bind when Senator Alan Peter Cayetano threatened to veto his appointment in the plenary even if it passes the committee level.
CA committee on constitutional commissions and offices chairman Jose Estrada said Cayetano revealed his plan to invoke section 20 of the CA rules against Brillantes if the committee considers his nomination.
“It’s his prerogative,” Estrada said, “and he can invoke (his veto against Brillantes’ confirmation) everytime the committee recommends the confirmation in the bicameral session.”
Cayetano said his opposition to Brillantes’ appointment “is nothing personal” and he was “only questioning Brillantes’ failure to make good on his promise to reform the Comelec.
Comelec officials linked to the massive cheating in the 2004 national elections remained with the Comelec occupying critical positions in the poll body’s Mindanao units, Cayetano said.
Cayetano also said Brillantes even rewarded Comelec personnel tagged by the Ombudsman in the P690 million overpric ing of ballot secrecy folders with juicy postings.
Rafanan also blocked Brillantes’ confirmation by presenting an affidavit accusing his superior of several violations of the anti-graft law.
Committee vice chairman Rep. Rodante Marcoleta attempted to reject Rafanan’s affidavit, on the reason that the CA’s accommodation might set a precedent allowing last minute filing of opposition. Rep. Simeon Datumanong, another committee member, prevailed upon Marcoleta.
Rafanan accused Brillantes of violations of the anti-graft law.
Rafanan also charged Brillantes with bullying and compelling him to compromise cases he was handling when he was chief of the law department; favoring those implicated in the folder overpricing; conflict of interest ; and for illegally removing him (Rafanan) from office last Aug. 31.
But Estrada contended that Rafanan’s complaints happened at least 14months ago and he only filed his opposition in the last minute of the proceedings. Rey Salita
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