KIKO:2010 TALKS SHOULD CENTER ON COMELEC REFORMS NOT ON SELF SERVING POLITICAL AMBITIONS
Greater transparency in the search process needed

With heated talks of the 2010 elections, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today said that,"Instead of focusing on who intend to run in 2010 political parties and their leaders must focus on ensuring that the COMELEC appointees to be appointed in a few weeks time are men and women with integrity and capacity. Without an independent and corrupt free COMELEC all this talk about 2010 is a waste of time. "sayang lang ang laway ng lahat kung walang tunay na reporma sa COMELEC."

Three vacancies in the COMELEC are to be filled up come february with the resignation of COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos amid allegations of bribery in the NBN ZTE deal, and the retirement of commissioners Resureccion Borra and Florentino Tuason in February 2 this year.

"The search committee says that there are 56 names being considered for the positions. We urge the search committee to make public the list of these nominees and to invite the public to submit position papers for or against these nominees. The list should be made public before it is culled or shortlisted. The search committee must allow public access to the interviews. sabi ni joecon they will interview the nominees. The public should be able to attend these interviews. We urge the media to monitor and publicize the proceedings, "Kiko ended.