Nelson J. Celis
Nelson Java Celis | |
|---|---|
| Commissioner of the Commission on Elections | |
| Assumed office August 15, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Ferdinand Marcos Jr. |
| Preceded by | Aimee Torrefranca-Neri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nelson Celis |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | Don Bosco Technical College |
| Occupation | Election official, engineer, columnist |
| Profession | Electronics and communications engineer |
| Known for | Advocacy for clean and automated elections |
Nelson Java Celis is a Filipino engineer, columnist, and election official serving as a commissioner of the Commission on Elections of the Philippines since 2022. He is known for his advocacy of clean and honest elections and his involvement in the development of the country’s automated election system.[1]
Early life and education
Celis earned his degree in electronics and communications engineering from Don Bosco Technical College.[2]
Career
Involvement with the Commission on Elections
From 2006 to 2008, Celis served as lead consultant to then-Comelec commissioner Resurreccion Borra, providing inputs on the implementation of the poll body’s automated election system (AES) project. He also made recommendations to the Comelec Advisory Council on the conduct of automated polls.[3]
He is a former lead consultant of ex-Comelec chairman Resurreccion Borra until 2008.[4]
From 2009 to 2010, Celis was co-convener of AES Watch, an election watchdog advocating for clean and honest automated elections. Since 2011, he has served as the group’s spokesperson.[5]
On August 15, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Celis to the Commission on Elections to fill one of two remaining vacancies. His term is set to expire in February 2029.[6]
Journalism and public commentary
Celis writes the column Let’s Face It for The Manila Times, where he discusses election technology and policy. He has written in favor of exploring a hybrid election system as an alternative to the existing AES.
Private sector
Celis has held senior positions in the private sector, including chief information officer of Megalink and the Philippine Veterans Bank, general manager of a technology company, and managing director of his own cybersecurity firm. He is a founding director of the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines.
Academia
Celis has lectured at De La Salle University and was formerly the dean of the business school at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
References
- ^ de Leon, Dwight (15 August 2022). "Who is Nelson Celis, Marcos' second Comelec appointee?". Rappler. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Medenilla, Samuel P. (15 August 2022). "IT expert Nelson Celis is newest Comelec commissioner". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Valmonte, Kaycee (15 August 2022). "Marcos nominates Nelson Celis as Comelec commissioner". Philstar.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Sarao, Zacarian (15 August 2022). "Bongbong Marcos names Nelson Java Celis as new Comelec commissioner". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ de Leon, Dwight (14 December 2022). "Comelec commissioners Celis, Maceda hurdle CA". Rappler. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "IT expert named new Comelec commissioner; watchdog pushes for changes in voter registration". BusinessWorld Online. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2025.