Malacañang said President Duterte already has a shortlist of people whom he will appoint to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as three of the highest positions in the poll body shall be vacated in February.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nogrlaes made the statement as three Comelec executives are set to retire this week, three months before the presidential elections on May 9.
Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. are all set to retire on February 2.
In his press briefing on Monday, January 31, Nograles described the appointment of new commissioners as urgent.
"'ASAP' po 'yan (This is 'as-soon-as-possible'). The President has a shortlist na po sa mga pagpipilian niya (of the people he is choosing from) for the appointment," he said.
"Alam ni Pangulo na kailangan na po nating i-appoint dahil sa mga vacancies (The President is aware that we need to make the appointments because of the vacancies)," he added.
In addition, Nograles said that this also depends on how fast Congress can confirm the new appointments.
"Depende rin po rin po sa pagko-confirm ng (It also depends on the confirmation of the) Commission on Appointments," he said.
"Depende po 'yan sa Kongreso (It depends on Congress) on how fast they can confirm the appointments," he added.
Meanwhile, aside from Comelec vacancies, Nograles said President Duterte also has a shortlist for appointments for positions to vacate at the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).