The powerful 25-man Commission on Appointments, during its plenary session on Wednesday, Dec. 1, confirmed the appointment of Manila Chief Prosecutor Rey Echevarria Bulay as Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner.
Bulay’s confirmation was sought by Senator Cynthia A. Villar after her CA Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices conducted a public hearing to determine Bulay’s fitness to hold a sensitive government post.
Bulay's confirmation was held at the Senate session hall during the CA’s plenary session presided by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, concurrent CA chairman.
Bulay’s tenure will end on February 2, 2027. He replaced former Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia who retired in February 2020.
Bulay, a San Beda College alumnus and Manila chief prosecutor, served as commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
After President Duterte picked him as Guia’s replacement, then Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said ‘’we are confident that Atty. Bulay will ensure the conduct of honest, orderly, credible and peaceful elections.’’
From his vehicle upon his arrival at the domestic airport, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri called the CA during its plenary session to say that he was seconding a motion seeking the confirmation of Bulay’s appointment.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa manifested his full support for the nomination of Bulay.
Dela Rosa said Bulay’s impressive academic background with a major in statistics, combined with his legal expertise, is the kind of officer Comelec needs.
He said he was glad Dulay expressed his desire to institute reforms in the Comelec and that their frame of minds are similar to each other.
During the hearing, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon zeroed in in Bulay’s net worth which rose from P52,037,882 in December 2017 to P75.1 million in December, 2020, resulting in a net increase of P20 million.
After Bulay explained that the rise in the zonal value of his properties versus acquisition costs caused the increase in his net worth, Drilon said he would second any motion to endorse the nomination of Bulay as Comelec commissioner.