James Jimenez, longest-serving Comelec spokesman, dies

MANILA, Philippines – James Jimenez, the longest serving spokesman of a Philippine government agency and the face of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for more than a decade, has passed away, the poll body said in a statement on Wednesday, January 28.

The commission did not provide a cause of death, but Jimenez had been battling health problems in recent years.

“Throughout multiple electoral cycles, Jimenez stood at the frontlines of public information during moments of intense scrutiny and national consequence. He helped bridge the communications gap by pioneering the official social media channels of the Commission, giving the public a direct avenue in conveying their queries and concerns,” the Comelec said in a statement condoling with Jimenez’s family.

“He championed accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, often translating legal and technical matters into language the public could understand. In doing so, he strengthened public trust in the electoral process and modeled how principled communication can serve democracy,” it added.

Jimenez first joined the Comelec as a consultant in 2002, before he became the director of its education department in 2004.

He became spokesperson in 2006, and held the post for for over 15 years, outlasting five Comelec chairmen from Benjamin Abalos Sr. to Sheriff Abas.

Jimenez was relieved from the post a few days before the 2022 elections, in the wake of the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the last two Comelec debates.

He had been a point person in the poll body’s bungled partnership with a contractor whose head issued repeated bounced checks to debate venue partner, Sofitel.

Jimenez remained head of the education department until he opted for early retirement in August 2022.

The Comelec at the time hailed Jimenez for “his long exemplary service to the nation through the commission.” – Rappler.com