Comelec 12 has new RD, Atty. Abas to ARMM

COTABATO CITY – In
preparation for the May 9 local and national elections, the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) has designated new regional directors for Region 12 and Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as part of a nationwide reshuffling of key officials
and field personnel.

Lawyer Francisco Pobe,
who previously headed the Comelec in Region 13, formally assumed as director
for the SOCCSKSARGEN Region on Monday, February 1.

Pobe replaced Atty.
Michael Abas, who was reassigned as regional director for ARMM.

Comelec Chairman Andres
Bautista has directed regional election directors to assume their new posts
before Feb. 9.

For the upcoming May 9
elections, a temporary reshuffle of the assignments of all Comelec field
officials will be implemented,” Bautista said in a statement.

Bautista said the
reshuffle is meant to take away any perception of partiality on the part of
poll officials.

This reshuffle is
being undertaken to forestall any accusations of partiality or bias on the part
of any Comelec official, and in line with our primary objective of achieving
credible elections,” Bautista said in his order dated January 8.

Comelec Region 12 has
jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani
and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and
Kidapawan.

Although part of the
administrative coverage of Region 12, Cotabato City is under the authority of
Comelec-ARMM.

As to their
preparations, Comelec 12 said the training and orientation of election officers
and personnel on the conduct of the May 9 automated elections is currently
ongoing.

Comelec 12 said they
have set the training in March for the teachers who will serve as board of
election inspectors during the polls. (VALERIE ANN P. LAMBO)