MANILA – The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Antonio Kho Jr. as Commissioner at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the CA’s Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices, recommended his appointment to the body, saying that Kho possesses qualifications and the experience needed at the Comelec.
“Our appointee’s academic credentials, vast experience in the private and public sector, passion for the rule of law and dedication to public service are beacons towards the vision of a Comelec that delivers clean, honest, credible and efficient elections,” Villar said in her sponsorship speech.
The endorsement was seconded by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and Masbate Rep. Scott Davies Lanete.
Kho, who was born in Jolo, Sulu, finished his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Business Management at Dela Salle University and obtained his Bachelor of Laws at the San Beda College of Law.
He passed the Bar exams in 1991, placing 10th among thousands of examinees.
He practiced law in various prominent law offices and also taught law at the Arellano Law School, San Beda College of Law and at the De La Salle College of Law.
Kho also served as legal consultant at the office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. under the Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation Committee as well as the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Senate of the Philippines.
Prior to his appointment to the Comelec, he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Undersecretary at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2016.
While at the DOJ, Kho supervised the National Prosecution Service, the Office of the Legal Staff, the Bureau of Corrections, the Office of Competition and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.
He also represented the DOJ secretary in the National Security Council, the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Judicial and Bar Council, among others.
Duterte appointed Kho to the Comelec on July 11, 2018, taking over the position vacated by Sheriff Abas who is now Comelec chairman.
Kho will serve in the Comelec until Feb. 2, 2022.
He is the fourth appointee of Duterte to serve in the Commission aside from Abas and Commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo.
The other members of the Commission en banc are Commissioners Luie Guia, Al Parreño and Rowena Guanzon. (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
