Melo takes oath, vows to quit if…

NEW Comelec chairman Jose Melo had barely warmed his seat when he vowed yesterday to quit if the national elections in 2010 are not credible and honest.

Melo, a former Supreme Court justice, made the statement after he was sworn in yesterday by Commissioner Romeo Brawner, acting Comelec chair, at the Comelec head office in Intramuros, Manila.

Melo said his stint in the Comelec will be all about the success of the 2010 elections.

He batted for the computerization of the 2010 elections but "if not, we should at least have peaceful, credible and honest elections."

Melo said he believes the Comelec would regain the people’s trust in the light of its involvement in the "Hello Garci" scandal, the anomalous purchase of the automated machines and the electoral fraud in Maguindanao in 2007.

"The Comelec has good people. Leadership counts a lot. I just hope to be an example for them to follow," he said.

He said he would adopt a hands-off stand on the re-opening the "Hello Garci" case.

"Personally, I don’t think the Comelec should be handling this matter. It also cannot be given to Congress because it could be politicized. Rather, there should be an independent commission that will handle it that will be given the proper funding and proper power to call witnesses," he said.

Melo was first appointed by President Arroyo last January to replace Benjamin Abalos Sr., who resigned last October over allegations of his involvement in the $329 million NBN-ZTE broadband scandal.

Melo was issued an interim appointment by Malacañang last Monday when his appointment was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments when Congress went on Lenten break last March 12. Congress resumes sessions on April 21.

Under the 1987 Constitution, interim appointments are deemed effective until the next adjournment of Congress.

Melo and Carlos Medina, a lawyer, were the only two names nominated by civil society groups to the search panel created by Malacañang.

Melo had said he would not assume his new post until confirmation the CA as Congress was still in session at the time.

But he said he decided to take over the chairmanship when Wynne Asdala, officer-in-charge of the Law Department, died Monday in an ambush as he stepped out of a fast food outlet in Intramuros.

"Naramdaman ko nung mabalitaan ko iyon (Asdala murder) na para akong ama na may nangyayari sa bahay at walang ginagawa," he said.

"Hindi natin ito hinangad pero we must not evade when duty calls. I guess our country is probably not yet through with me," he said.

Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said Melo should not have assumed his post pending confirmation.

Pimentel said he was told that the CA could not act on Melo’s appointment as he lacked supporting documents. – Gerard Naval and Dennis Gadil

First:	Acts 3:1-10
Resp:	Psalm 105:1-4,6-9
Gospel:	Luke 24:13-35

Today's Reflection on the Mass