Philippines, Feb. 10 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed a career official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as one of its commissioners.

In a press briefing at the poll body's main office in Manila on Monday, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed the appointment of law department chief Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal as Commissioner, replacing Socorro Inting who retired on Feb 2.

Casingal took her oath of office before Garcia on Monday. She has been with the poll body since 1997.

"We welcome the appointment of Commissioner Norie. She will officially start work at her new position today," Garcia said.

Garcia is confident that the poll body's preparations for the May 12 midterm elections will be boosted ...