Senator Francis Tolentino has urged President Duterte to appoint three Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioners to replace those who have retired.
Tolentino said there is a need for a full complement of officials at the poll body because of the heavy load related to the May 2022 national and local elections.
Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guazon and Antonio Kho Jr. retired early this month.
Their retirement left four active commissioners with Commissioner Socorro Inting as acting chairperson.
Although the four comprise a quorum, it is better that the Comelec has a full complement of seven commissioners, Tolentino, vice chairman of the Senate Electoral Reforms committee, said.
Since Congress is on election recess, appointments by the President to the Comelec are considered ‘’ad interim.’’
This means the appointees can work immediately although their appointments are not yet confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).