CAMPAIGN TRAIL

To prevent any candidate from exerting excessive influence on the upcoming polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday started reshuffling its ranking officials.

The reorganization at the commission’s headquarters includes Executive Director Jose Tolentino who was appointed as head of the Project Management Office. He will be replaced by Bartolome Sinocruz Jr., who used to be the deputy executive director for operations.

Deputy Executive Director for Administration Helen Aguila-Flores swapped positions with Personnel Department director Adolfo Ibanez, while Sinocruz was replaced by Election and Barangay Affairs Department director Teopisto Elnas.

While Administrative Service Department (ARED) director Rey Doma who became assistant regional director in Cagayan Valley, replacing Jerbee Cortez who was appointed ARED in Metro Manila.

Comelec’s Second Division presiding Commissioner Lucenito Tagle said that the reshuffle is temporary yet vital.

“They may be familiar with the candidates in their areas of assignment so we are doing this reshuffle. We don’t want them to be influenced by candidates,” Tagle said.

He added that next to be reorganized are the regional directors, provincial election supervisors and election officers.

The resolution showed that the reshuffle was made as the poll body is “geared toward advancing the professional competency, integrity and absolute impartiality of its personnel, in particular, its senior staff.”

“All senior staff [directors 3 and 4] play pivotal roles and responsibilities not only in the holding of the forthcoming elections but also in discharging the mandates of the Comelec,” the resolution stated.

The reshuffle took effect on Monday until June 12, or the end of the election period “without prejudice to the authority of the commission en banc to effect further reassignments whenever the exigency of service so requires.”