Commissioner Lim to focus on Electoral Reforms & Training of Election Officers

COMELEC Commissioner Christian Robert Lim

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) commissioner Christian Robert Lim said he felt "overwhelmed" after his first en banc session but is challenged to do reforms in the electoral system.

In an interview on GMA Network's Unang Balita on Wednesday, Lim said his experience in the last elections showed him the kinds of reforms that he wants to implement in the Comelec, especially in the precinct level.

Aside from crafting resolutions, he said he wants to focus more on implementing what's already there, especially training election personnel and teachers to get them ready for the next automation elections.

He said the teachers and other election officers were not properly trained to handle the last automated elections, which made them panic when something went wrong.

"Mas importante 'yung training (for teachers and board of election inspectors) para wala nang duda kung may nangyayari sa eleksyon (Training teachers and board of election inspectors is more important so there's no more doubt when something happens in the next elections)," he said.

Lim was part of the legal and anti-fraud group of President Benigno Aquino III's Bantay Balota in the May 2010 elections.

But he quickly dismissed speculations that his appointment is a payback for helping out Aquino in the presidential campaign, stressing his new job is actually a "sacrifice."

In the same television interview, Lim admitted he was surprised when he found out he was appointed, jokingly adding that he thought it was an April Fools joke.

On Monday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte announced that Lim will take the post vacated by Gregorio Larrazabal, who retired in February. 

Lim said he submitted a résumé because he wanted to work for government, but he did not have any position in mind. Lim also said he did not know who was behind his endorsement. 

He added that he felt sad about having to leave his private law office so soon.

Lim will serve in the poll body until February 2018 if his nomination will be approved by the bicameral Commission on Appointments. — Candice Montenegro/RSJ, GMA News