Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Socorro B. Inting is expected to become the acting head of the poll body next month.
This as Comelec chairperson Sheriff M. Abas as well as commissioners Rowena V. Guanzon and Antonio T. Kho, Jr. are set to retire on Feb. 2, 2022.
In her Twitter account, Guanzon confirmed that Inting will serve as the temporary replacement of Abas.
“Commissioner Socorro Inting, most senior Comm on Feb. 3, will be Acting Chair @Comelec while PRRD has not appointed a Chair,” Guanzon said.
Inting, a former Associate Justice of the Court Appeals, was appointed as Comelec Commissioner by Duterte in 2018.
The other remaining Comelec commissioners, who will remain with Inting are Marlon S. Casquejo, Aimee P. Ferolino, and Rey E. Bulay. They are all appointed by Duterte.
Election watchdogs earlier urged the prompt and transparent process of replacing the three retiring Comelec senior officials since the poll body is now in the middle of its preparations for the 2022 elections.
They stressed the new Comelec commissioners should be impartial to ensure the integrity of the upcoming polls.
As of press time last Monday, Duterte has yet to decide on the new head of Comelec and appointment of new Comelec commissioners.
