Palace boo-boo leaves Comelec’s Guia hanging

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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Luie Guia can't take his Comelec post because Malacañang misspelled his name in his appointment papers

POLL WATCHDOG. The President has appointed lawyer Luie Guia as Comelec commissioner. Photo by Paterno Esmaquel II

MANILA, Philippines – Does the President take his appointees seriously? Looks like the Palace can’t even spell the name of one of them correctly.

Take the example of Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Luie Guia. He can’t assume his post at the Comelec because of one basic problem: wrong spelling.

Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr on Tuesday, April 23, said Guia’s name was misspelled in the appointment papers, prompting the poll body to return these to the Palace. “So he cannot take the oath until they give us new appointment papers, with the corrected name,” Brillantes said in Filipino. (Read: Even Aquino’s critic wants Guia in Comelec.)

In its official statement on his appointment, the Palace spelled Guia’s name as “Louie.” The correct spelling is “Luie.”

The problem is, Aquino is flying to Brunei on Wednesday, April 24. “If he hasn’t signed it, we’ll just have to wait,” Brilantes said.

WRONG SPELLING. The Palace wrongly spells the name of one of its new Comelec appointees. Screen grab from gov.ph

That was not the Palace’s only boo-boo concerning the new Comelec appointments.

Speaking to reporters last Friday, April 19, Aquino referred to Guia as “De Guia.”

Aquino also lacked basic information about the Comelec commissioner appointed alongside Guia: Al Parreño. He didn’t know Parreño has practiced law for less than 10 years – an issue raised by critics but was quickly debunked by the Palace. (Read: Parreño: ‘Curious’ outsider in Comelec.)

“That’s news to me. Let me check that,” the President said. – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com