After 15 years of serving as spokesperson, Commission on Elections Director James Jimenez is set to retire by 16 September.
In a letter signed by Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. dated 31 August, the Commission En Banc approved Jimenez's request to avail of the optional retirement.
"The termination of your employment is without prejudice to your claims of benefits with this Commission, Government Service Insurance System, and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG)," the document read.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia thanked Jimenez for his service to the poll body.
"The whole Comelec family expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Dir. Jimenez for his long exemplary service to the nation through the Commission. We wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his life," he said.
Garcia said there is no replacement yet for Jimenez.
"We shall now start the vetting process even in an acting capacity," Garcia said.
Jimenez has served as spokesperson of the poll body since 2007, or during the term of then-Comelec chairperson Benjamin Abalos Sr., and served as Director IV of the poll body's Education and Information Department since 2004.
The recent development came after a task force led by Commissioner Rey Bulay recommended Jimenez's "temporary relief," along with Director Frances Arabe after their involvement with the controversy after a check paid by Comelec's production partner Impact Hub Manila, which was behind the Vote Pilipinas campaign at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, bounced because of alleged lack of funds. That caused the poll body to move the town hall debates on 30 April and 01 May.
Under their agreement, PPHI and Impact Hub Manila have agreed to pay a total of P20.5 million in four installments from 16 March to 20 April.
However, due to the bounced checks, PPHI has yet to collect P14.095 million.
