CA gives nod to Abas as Comelec chairman

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday approved the nomination of Commissioner Sheriff Abas as chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the youngest and the first Muslim to head the poll body.

Abas was appointed Comelec commissioner in 2015 at the age of 35. He replaced Andres Bautista who resigned as poll chief on October 11, 2017. Abas’ term will expire on February 2, 2022.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices, sponsored the approval of Abas’ appointment.

She said Abas was a member of the Bangsamoro lawyers network.

Villar said Abas played a significant role in the success of the national and local elections.

“Notably the 2016 national and local election was regarded as one of the most transparent, efficient, credible election in the country with 96% percent of precint results already known within12 hours, a record in Philippine history,” she said.

The senator said Abas also paved the way for the creation of a collective negotiation agreement between the poll body and the Comelec Employees Union, a “first of its kind in the commission.”

“Despite being the youngest member of the Commission en banc, he was able to stand firm on his principles earning the respect of his highly competent fellow commissioners,” Villar said.

“He aims to use his extensive experience from the frontlines of public service to advance equality and exclusiveness among all Filipinos regardless of gender, religion and culture,” she said.

She noted Abas, who has been in government service for 11 years, has always maintained a low-key persona. “Yet, he has undeniably exuded his competence and integrity guided by his values and principles in his work as a government official.”

“These qualities led for him to be nominated in the position of chairman of Comelec three times by no less than by his excellency, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an affirmation of the strong trust and confidence that the President has on Abas to lead the Comelec in safeguarding the sovereign will of the Filipino people.”

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri seconded Abas’ nomination as poll chief.

The senator noted that Abas is the “first Muslim election chief, the youngest head of the poll body, and the first Comelec commissioner to become Comelec chair.”

“At a time when we are witnessing remarkable progress in our efforts in bringing just, dignified and lasting peace in Mindanao we are presented yet again with another opportunity to welcome our brother Muslim to the top post of one of the only 3 constitutional bodies,” Zubiri said.

Abas said the poll body will try its best to conduct a “credible” 2019 midterm elections.

“It is difficult to hold elections. We hope to assure the public that we will conduct a credible 2019 elections in the best of our abilities.”