CA confirms appointments of Casingal, Pipo as Comelec commissioners

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments on Tuesday, June 10, confirmed the appointments of Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Noli Rafol Pipo as commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo were appointed as the newest Comelec commissioners in February. Their terms will end on February 2, 2032.

They first faced the CA committee on constitutional commissions and offices on June 4, but there was no endorsement yet as the session was suspended due to lack of material time.

During the June 4 deliberations, Duterte Youth chairperson Ronald Cardema opposed their confirmation. He explained they signed the National Board of Canvassers resolution that suspended the proclamation of the Duterte Youth party-list during the May midterm elections.

Duterte Youth, which is facing campaign and registration issues, is one of three party-list groups that each obtained three of the 63 party-list seats in the House of Representatives.

On June 10, Cardema was absent in the committee hearing “due to scheduled hearings of his two cases filed against him at the Department of Justice.”

When asked for a response, Tangaro-Casingal argued Cardema’s opposition was not directed against her credibility and fitness to be a Comelec commissioner but the act of signing the NBOC resolution.

Their appointments were recommended to the plenary after over two hours of circumspection.

Tangaro-Casingal took over from Commissioner Soccorro Inting, while Pipo replaced retired Commissioner Marlon Casquejo.

The two Comelec commissioners are career officials of the poll body.