Two Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioners are set to retire today, 2 February, just a few months before the midterm elections.

In an ambush interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the Palace has yet to appoint who will replace retiring Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo.

But Garcia said he hopes the new commissioners would be from its main office or from the Comelec field offices.

“We’re appealing to the president, but we’re not influencing his decision... We hope upon their retirement, he can appoint their replacement,” Garcia said, noting that a full en banc needs to make decisions.

“It’s much better if he gets insiders from the Comelec because they already know the problems, what we’re doing. It will no longer be hard to talk to them,” he added.

Garcia also said it would be better if two of Comelec’s new commissioners would consist of a woman and a career official.

“We hope one woman and one man could get appointed so it’s balanced,” he added.

Upon Inting’s retirement, only Aimee Ferolino will be the only woman among the Comelec’s top officials.

Garcia also disclosed that the Malacañang has already interviewed some candidate replacements.