PBBM appoints new COMELEC commissioners

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has appointed Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Noli Rafol Pipo as its newest commissioners, marking a significant shift in the poll body’s leadership.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted Tangaro-Casingal an ad interim appointment, effective February 2, 2025, elevating her from her previous role as director of the Comelec Law Department.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced the appointments in a press briefing, expressing full confidence in Tangaro-Casingal’s extensive expertise and decades of service.

Having dedicated 27 years to the commission, she admitted that the appointment came as a surprise but expressed gratitude to the president for the trust placed in her.

Tangaro-Casingal’s new role also signifies a leadership transition, as she succeeds outgoing Commissioner Socorro Inting and assumes responsibility for the Comelec’s First Division.

Meanwhile, Noli Rafol Pipo steps into the position previously held by retired Commissioner Marlon Casquejo. Pipo, a seasoned election officer who formerly headed Comelec in the Ilocos Region, is expected to bring valuable experience to the national level, reinforcing the commission’s operational efficiency.

With these strategic appointments, Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo are poised to play pivotal roles in upholding the integrity and transparency of the country’s electoral processes.