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Kayla Igitol is new CEC executive director
The Commonwealth Election Commission board voted last Friday to appoint CEC administrative officer Kayla Igitol as the new CEC executive director.
Igitol, who has been in the CEC for almost 13 years now, acknowledges that she faces a lot of challenges in upcoming elections but she assured that will be up to the challenge, her main goal being to restore the public’s trust in the election process and to make sure that toy keep the elections fair and secure.
In an interview after the board meeting, the 37-year-old Igitol said it’s a very challenging job and that she’s very appreciative to the commissioners that they considered her for this position.
As for her message to the CEC staff, Igitol said she can’t do everything alone. “I need them. We need to work together and they’re very supportive. I enjoy working with my staff. They are just like family to me,” she said. Igitol said the CEC staff fully support her and that she also does the same way for them. “And I know we can overcome any challenges we face and any future elections,” said Igitol, who has been at CEC in 10 elections.
CEC board chair Jesus Sablan presided over the meeting held at CEC’s conference room in Susupe. Only vice chair Dorris Aldan Atalig was not present.
The other commissioners present were Henry Kaipat, John Attao, Esther Yatar, Leilani Manglona, and Vicente Borja.
It was Yatar who moved for Igitol’s appointment. Manglona seconded the motion. All six commissioners present voted “yes” for Igitol’s appointment.
Igitol rose from the ranks. She started as a temporary employee for six months, then got extended, and became an election register clerk. She then became an administrative officer.
When then-executive director Julita A. Villagomez retired last Dec. 30, Igitol became the acting executive director.
