Duterte defends poll body appointments

President Rodrigo Duterte defended his recent appointments of Saidamen Balt Pangarungan as Comelec chairperson and George Garcia and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri as commissioners.

Duterte highlighted Pangarungan's qualifications, mentioning his Maranao heritage and extensive government experience, including his previous role as head of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The President also vouched for Garcia, describing him as a neutral choice due to his past legal work for various political figures and former Speaker Boy Nograles.

Duterte addressed criticisms regarding Pangarungan's appointment, noting their shared alma mater, San Beda University, but stated he had never met Pangarungan before the appointment.

He expressed confidence that Pangarungan, as the new Comelec chair, would address issues hounding the poll body, such as the controversy surrounding ballot printing.