Palace mum on Comelec chairman's retirement

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 10/28/2010

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang spokesman on Thursday refused to coment on reports that Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Armando Melo is opting for early retirement.


This, as Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte kept the Palace’s distance on talks Melo has been offered a different post in government instead.

“There has been no announcement from Comelec that (Melo) is retiring. I have seen reports but they have yet to be confirmed. (Chairman) Melo is out of the country and nobody has been able to get his side. He’s the best to give us confirmation or denial of the report. Not prudent to respond unless based on confirmed report. I don’t want to speculate. Mahirap magbigay ng kumento then hindi naman pala siya sa confirmed….I am not aware of any offer," she said.

An ABS-CBN source earlier said a close relative of President Benigno Aquino III has convinced Melo to retire early and accept a new post in the Aquino administration.

Melo left for Hawaii on Tuesday for a week-long vacation. The ABS-CBN source said the respite is preparation for Melo's eventual exit from Comelec in December, more than 2 years after his appointment.

The Comelec chairman was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2008. His term lapses in 2015.

Several commissioners said Melo has made known his desire to leave the Comelec at least 10 times in previous en banc meetings.

"Sinasabi lang niya na gusto na niyang mag-rest. Mas gusto niya siguro yung work na di ganun ang pressure just like in the Comelec," said Comelec commissioner Armando Velasco.

Melo supervised the conduct of the 2008 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the first nationwide automated election in May 2010, and Monday's barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

If he does decide to retire, Melo will be the third official to leave Comelec in the next few months. Comelec commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer and Gregorio Larrazabal are set to retire on February 2011. With reports from Anthony Taberna and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News