President Duterte makes other appointments
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Commission on Elections Commissioner Sheriff Abas as chair of the poll body.
Duterte also appointed former Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as the chair of the Energy Regulatory Commission, and Roberto Bernardo as undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Abas, a nephew of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Mohagher Iqbal, replaced Andres Bautista, who resigned after impeachment complaint for alleged betrayal of public trust stemming from his alleged failure to address the hacking of the COMELEC website in March 2015, and his alleged failure to properly disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, among others, were filed against him.
The complaint filed by lawyers Jacinto Paras and Ferdinand Topacio were eventually dismissed by the House justice committee after it was found insufficient in substance.
Abas’ term will expire on Feb. 2, 2022.
Devanadera, for her part, replaced Vicente Salazar, who was sacked by Duterte after he was found guilty of simple and grave misconduct in connection with allegations of corruption.
Bernardo replaced Raul Asis in the DPWH.
Earlier, President Duterte designated former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella as undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Harry Roque, who replaced Abella as presidential spokesperson, was also named presidential adviser on human rights.(With a report from Jerold Tagbo, Eagle News Service)