DAVAO CITY (May 24) — The Commission on Appointments Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Sheriff Abas as chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The powerful Committee approved the appointment of Abas to without any hitch.
Abas, 38, is a nephew of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.
He is the youngest head of the poll body, and the first to come from Mindanao.
Abas, is the first Muslim Filipino to head the Comelec, His term of office expires on Feb. 2, 2022 based on his appointment paper signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last January.
Former President Benigno Aquino III appointed Abas as Comelec commissioner on April 2015 but only got confirmation by the CA in May 2016.
This developed as the Palace welcomes Abas appointment.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a press statement said “We welcome the confirmation of the appointment of Commissioner Sheriff M. Abas as the new Commission on Elections chairperson.”
Roque said Abas’ integrity and competence would play key role in regaining the public trust in Comelec.
“We are confident that chairperson Abas would carry out his duties with integrity, excellence and competence to regain public trust in the electoral body,” Roque said.
Duterte appointed Abas to replace Bautista last November 2017.
Bautista resigned from his post amid allegations of unexplained wealth. -ezc/Newsline.ph
