Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal believes James Jimenez, the current spokesperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), is highly qualified as Commissioner.
In a statement, he said, Jimenez is qualified for the post citing his wide knowledge and experience on how the Comelec functions.
"He has been the spokesperson of the Comelec since 2006 to the present that he is known as the longest continuously serving spokesperson of any Philippine government institution (who) spearheaded the Comelec’s continued engagement with various social media, very early on establishing the Comelec as one of the first national government entities with a significant and dynamic social media presence. He also serves as the Chair of the Comelec’s Local Source Code Review Committee which ensures that the Source Code for Automated Election is reviewed by political parties, academic, and election watchdogs," Macalintal said.
"Given all these qualifications, I am sure that Jimenez is a very good and competent public official who should be with the Comelec as one of its Commissioners," he added.
Macalintal said Jimenez is highly qualified to be a Commissioner of the Comelec considering that he is even a holder of a law degree.
"If President Duterte is still scouting around for replacements of Comelec Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Anthonio Kho, who was recently appointed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, he has a very good and excellent choice in the person of James Jimenez. And if Jimenez becomes a Comelec Commissioner he will have more authority to speak for the Comelec," he said.
Guanzon and Kho retired last month together with Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas.