Garcia says Jimenez still Comelec spox
James Jimenez is still the spokesperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia clarified this on Monday, May 2.
"Until today, we would like to clarify, Dir. James Jimenez to be our official spokesperson and he remains to be the director of the Education and Information Department and Dir. (Frances) Arabe likewise remains to be director of said department," he said in a television interview.
In fact, Garcia said, Jimenez even spearheaded the walkthrough of the transparency server for the media at the UST, Saturday.
"Nothing has changed in the Comelec. He is still the face of the Comelec, the official spokesperson," he said.
Garcia said the recommendation made by Commissioner Rey Bulay is not yet accepted or there is no action yet from Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.
Last week, Bulay recommended that Directors Jimenez and Arabe be temporarily relieved from any functions involving media relations and exposure after the Pilipinas 2022 Debates fiasco.
Bulay heads the task force investigating the issue.
To continue the duties of Directors Jimenez and Arabe in the Education and Information Department (EID), it was also recommended that temporary replacements be designated.
Garcia also clarified that the investigation is still ongoing.
"The investigation has not yet been terminated it is still ongoing. It has not been concluded. If there is any it is just an initial investigation of Comm. Bulay before going to a full blown fact finding investigation," he said.
Garcia also assured that the investigation will not affect their preparations for the May 9 polls.
"For a very large organization like the Comelec it is but natural there would be this kind of internal happenings but these internal happenings should not affect our preparation. We should focus on the election at all cost. This is a very important historic election. We would be blamed if there would a problem in the election simply because we have something like this in the commission," he said.
The Comelec earlier reset the Pilipinas Debates 2022 to April 30 and May 1 after its private partner, Impact Hub Manila, encountered financial issues with the venue of the debates, the Sofitel Hotel, in Pasay City.
Later, the Comelec decided to adopt a single candidate/team - panel interview format with their new partner the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. This Comelec-KBP Pilipinas Forum 2022 will be held from May 3 to 6.