Marcos appoints 2 new Comelec commissioners
(UPDATE) THE seven-man Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc is now complete after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named two career officials as new commissioners following the mandatory retirement early this month of Commissioners Socorro Inteng and Marlon Casquejo. The new commissioners are Comelec legal department chief Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Comelec Region 1 Director Noli Pipo. They will assume their respective posts in ad interim capacity. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed Casingal and Pipo's appointments. Following Comelec's receipt of a transmittal letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Casingal immediately took her oath of office before the Comelec chief. Garcia said Pipo will take his oath on Wednesday. The two new members of the en banc are seasoned career officials with proven experience, capability and integrity, having served the commission for decades. "We welcome their appointments. They will immediately assume their posts," said Garcia. Garcia earlier appealed to the president to appoint the replacements of Inteng and Cascquejo, saying that the commission would function better with seven members as the May 12 elections draw near. The poll chief said he told the president that he hoped the new commissioners would be Comelec insiders who are qualified and have the proven capability and experience in handling elections. The appointment of Casingal and Pipo, Garcia said, would be a big help to the commission because of their long experience and expertise on election matters. "Their expertise is on election laws. Casingal is a senior lawyer of the Commission. She'll be a member of the First Division, joining presiding Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and Commissioner Ernesto Maceda as co-members," Garcia said. Casingal joined the Comelec in 1997 and rose from the rank until she became the director of the Comelec Law Department in 2016. She will serve as Comelec commissioner until Feb. 2, 2032. Pipo, on the other hand, will replace Casquejo in the Second Division, joining Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis. Pipo, who has a law degree from San Sebastian College, is from Bantay, Ilocos Sur. He joined the Comelec in 1993 as election officer III. He was named provincial election supervisor of Ilocos Norte on Feb. 19, 1996 until Jan. 7, 2024. He also served as assistant regional election director from Jan. 8, 2004 to April 7, 2006, and as regional election director from April 8, 2006 up to the present. "The next two months before the elections are very important. There are lots of challenges," Garcia said. Garcia said Caringal and Pipo's appointments are ad interim and would be valid only until Congress resumes its session. As ad interim appointees, the duo can immediately assume office but have to submit themselves for confirmation to the Commission on Appointments when Congress resumes session on June 2. An ad interim appointment is done when Congress is adjourned but is only valid during the congressional break.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) THE seven-man Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc is now complete after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named two career officials as new commissioners following the mandatory retirement early this month of Commissioners Socorro Inteng and Marlon Casquejo.
The new commissioners are Comelec legal department chief Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Comelec Region 1 Director Noli Pipo. They will assume their respective posts in ad interim capacity.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed Casingal and Pipo's appointments.
Following Comelec's receipt of a transmittal letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Casingal immediately took her oath of office before the Comelec chief.
Garcia said Pipo will take his oath on Wednesday.
The two new members of the en banc are seasoned career officials with proven experience, capability and integrity, having served the commission for decades.
"We welcome their appointments. They will immediately assume their posts," said Garcia.
Garcia earlier appealed to the president to appoint the replacements of Inteng and Cascquejo, saying that the commission would function better with seven members as the May 12 elections draw near.
The poll chief said he told the president that he hoped the new commissioners would be Comelec insiders who are qualified and have the proven capability and experience in handling elections.
The appointment of Casingal and Pipo, Garcia said, would be a big help to the commission because of their long experience and expertise on election matters.
"Their expertise is on election laws. Casingal is a senior lawyer of the Commission. She'll be a member of the First Division, joining presiding Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and Commissioner Ernesto Maceda as co-members," Garcia said.
Casingal joined the Comelec in 1997 and rose from the rank until she became the director of the Comelec Law Department in 2016.
She will serve as Comelec commissioner until Feb. 2, 2032.
Pipo, on the other hand, will replace Casquejo in the Second Division, joining Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis.
Pipo, who has a law degree from San Sebastian College, is from Bantay, Ilocos Sur. He joined the Comelec in 1993 as election officer III. He was named provincial election supervisor of Ilocos Norte on Feb. 19, 1996 until Jan. 7, 2024.
He also served as assistant regional election director from Jan. 8, 2004 to April 7, 2006, and as regional election director from April 8, 2006 up to the present.
"The next two months before the elections are very important. There are lots of challenges," Garcia said.
Garcia said Caringal and Pipo's appointments are ad interim and would be valid only until Congress resumes its session.
As ad interim appointees, the duo can immediately assume office but have to submit themselves for confirmation to the Commission on Appointments when Congress resumes session on June 2.
An ad interim appointment is done when Congress is adjourned but is only valid during the congressional break.
