MANILA - Newly appointed election commissioner Luie Guia paid a courtesy call on Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Friday.
He also met with other commissioners and observed their en banc meeting. In an interview with reporters, Guia said he considers his appoinment to the poll body a "call to duty."
"Tinitingnan ko rin kung may maiaambag ako sa Comelec," he said. With his appointment papers already in the Comelec, Guia said he plans to take his oath and assume office on Monday next week.
Guia on Thursday said Comelec continues to face a credibility problem despite efforts made by the Comelec chief to institute reforms.
“One nagging problem that Comelec has is actually the issue of credibility although the present Comelec seems to be doing well in that regard. Chairman Brillantes has been showing a no-nonsense attitude towards enforcing election laws. But you know, every election there has been this nagging issue as to whether the results are accurate. There [are] always questions [about] the process. This is one thing that Comelec has to look at,” Guia said in an interview on ANC.
The new commissioner said the poll body should “try to be more engaging” with the other stakeholders in the elections including candidates, civil society groups, election watchdogs and even voters. He urged Comelec to be more transparent about the preparations for the polls.
Prior to his appointment, Guia was acting director of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente). He has been an International Election Consultant to countries such as Papua New Guinea and Kenya, among others.
Guia told ANC that he started his career as a lawyer in Comelec 20 years ago before he got involved in electoral reforms work. With a report by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News