Padaca as Comelec commissioner

Former governor of Isabela Grace Padaca was appointed new commissioner of Comelec to replace information technology expert Augusto Lagman who failed to get confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

There have been positive and negative comments on her appointment as Comelec Commisioner and this writer believes it was a good decision of President Aquino to appoint Padaca on said government position.

Padaca is facing arrest over graft charges which she said were politically motivated. She has refused to post bail in protest at the way the case was decided against her. She is accused of awarding to a non-government organization in 2006 while still governor of Isabela, a contract to manage a P25 million credit facility for rice farmers without public bidding. She had argued that bidding was not required and there was no loss on the part of government.

The former governor can perform the job competently without fear or favor to any politician. Padaca is very much
qualified for the position. She is a woman of integrity and she can apply the election laws in an objective manner and she can perform reforms and changes in the Comelec. Padaca’s candidacy in the May 2010 gubernatorial race does not bar her from sitting in the Comelec.

By: Joey E. Clarin

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