Ex-spox James Jimenez expressed intention to return to Comelec- Garcia

Former spokesperson James Jimenez has expressed his intention to return to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This was disclosed by Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Monday after Jimenez attended the poll body’s signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Rotary International District 3810, and the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines.

In an ambush interview, Garcia said Jimenez visited some offices at the Comelec, particularly the Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) and made a courtesy call to him two weeks ago.

“Dumalaw kasi siya sa ibang opisina ng kumisyon, I think dito sa OFOV at sa iba pang kilala niya at nagkataon na nagpunta s’ya dito sa opisina ng chairman at nagsabi din siya, hindi ko alam kung pabiro o ganon kaseryoso pero ang sabi niya baka naman may available na posisyon at baka pwede na mag-apply na muli dito sa Comelec,” Garcia said.

“Ako, hindi naman akong nagulat sa ganong klaseng offer sapagkat maraming katulad din niya na mga galing dati sa Comelec ang gusto at nagpapahayag ng pagpasok muli sa Commission. Kaya lang sobra sobra po ang mga opisyal namin ngayon na meron kami at talagang walang bakante na mataas na pwesto dito sa atin sa komisyon,” he added.
 

(He visited other offices of the commission like the OFOV, and to his other former colleagues as well as the chairman’s office. I don’t know if he was joking or he was serious, but he asked me if there are available positions and if he can apply here at the Comelec. I am not surprised about it because there are other former Comelec officers who wish to return to the poll body. However, all our positions here are now filled.)

Garcia expressed elation with Jimenez’s intention, saying this proves that the former Comelec official was “feeling” that the poll body is being run properly by the current leadership.

GMA News Online has sought Jimenez to confirm the Comelec chairman’s remarks but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Speaking to reporters, Jimenez said he only visited OFOV to help them with some contacts.

When asked if he is back with the poll body, Jimenez answered in the negative.

In September last year, Jimenez retired from the Comelec after almost two decades of service.

To recall, Jimenez was relieved of his duties as spokesman in connection with the controversy that led to the cancellation of the final presidential and vice presidential debates in the 2022 National and Local Elections.

He was since been replaced by former Comelec Law Department Director Rex Laudiangco as the director of the Comelec Education and Information Department.

Garcia said he will follow up on the investigation on the incident which led to the cancellation of the debates, but noted that the Comelec en banc has already decided on it and this is just a “matter of releasing the official resolution.”

Should Jimenez decide to come back, Garcia said he would need to undergo the usual employment process at Comelec.—RF, GMA Integrated News