Duterte frat brod named Comelec
commissioner
Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) - July 14,
2018 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has
appointed a fraternity brother as commissioner
of the Commission on Elections
(Comelec), filling the post vacated by Sheriff
Abas who moved up as chairman of the poll
body.
The new Comelec official – former justice
undersecretary Antonio Kho Jr. – will serve until
Feb. 2, 2022. Malacañang released Kho’s
appointment paper, dated July 11, yesterday.
Kho is a member of San Beda Law’s Lex Talionis
fraternity to which Duterte also belongs
“The commission welcomes the appointment of
Antonio Kho Jr. as commissioner. (This) rounds
up the composition of the seven-member en
banc as the Comelec goes full steam ahead with
its preparations for the May 13,
2019 elections,” Comelec spokesman James
Jimenez said.
Aside from Kho, two other commissioners were
appointed by Duterte: Socorro Inting, a former
associate justice of the Court of Appeals, and
Marlon Casquejo, who used to be assistant
regional director of Comelec for Davao.
Abas was named commissioner by former
president Benigno Aquino III until he was
named chairman by Duterte. 
Comelec Employees Union president Mac
Ramirez also welcomed Kho’s appointment as
he noted that since the poll body is now
complete, it will be able to prepare for the
upcoming elections better.
Ramirez added the Comelec’s rank and file
employees are looking forward to working with
Kho.
National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections
secretary-general Eric Alvia said there is no
more reason for the Comelec to experience
delays in the preparation for next year’s polls.
Alvia also underscored the need for the poll
officials to be “transparent and independent” in
handling the elections.
“There were a lot of questions with regard to
the results of the 2016 elections. If they were
transparent then, these could have been
avoided so I hope that the Comelec will be open
to ensure the integrity of next year’s elections,”
he added.