CA confirms Abas as Comelec chief

COMMISSION on Elections chairman Sheriff Abas got the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointments Wednesday, May 23, making him the youngest and first FilipinoMuslim poll chief.

Senator Cynthia Villar, CA chairperson, said Abas is competent to lead the Comelec given his experience.

Abas is a former Comelec provincial director in Maguindanao and a former regional director of the Civil Service Commission.

His appointment was opposed by various sectors including the Muslim Bar Association of the Philippines headed by Sultan Firdausi, who noted that Abas is a first cousin of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

Malacañang welcomed the CA's confirmation of Abas.

"We welcome the confirmation of the appointment of Commissioner Sheriff M. Abas as the new Commission on Elections chairperson," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.

"We are confident that Chairperson Abas would carry out his duties with integrity, excellence and competence to regain public trust in the electoral body," he added.

Abas was tapped by President Rodrigo Duterte to serve on November 22, 2017 to lead the Comelec after Bautista tendered his resignation in October 2017 amid allegations of ill-gotten wealth.

Abas will serve as the Comelec chair until February 2, 2022. (PS Jun Sarmiento and Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)