‘Calm, steady, dedicated:’ Tributes for former Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez

January 28, 2026 – 6:50 PM

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Tributes poured in for former longtime Comelec spokesperson

James Jimenez

Commission on Elections (Comelec)

on Wednesday said that it is mourning the passing of the 52-year-old retired government official, who served the poll body for 15 years, from 2006 until 2022.

It described Jimenez as a public servant who carried out his duties with “integrity, clarity, and utmost dedication,” noting that he “holds the rare distinction of being the longest-serving and youngest spokesperson in government at the time of his appointment.”

“He was the public face and steady voice of the Commission—explaining complex electoral processes with precision, defending democratic institutions with calm courage, and engaging citizens and media with respect, wit, and transparency,” the poll body said.

Jimenez was credited with pioneering the commission’s official social media channels, giving the public a direct way to submit queries and concerns.

“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,” Comelec said.

It did not disclose the reason for Jimenez’s death.

“He was a friend to bloggers and netizens, and he actively sought advice and support on popularizing automated elections,” columnist

Tonyo Cruz

wrote.

“James organized briefings, sitdowns, demos and other activities to familiarize netizens and the public, and as much as possible patiently answered questions as the nation transitioned from old to new,” he

added

“The COMELEC points out that James was the youngest spokesman of any agency (when he was appointed). It put him in a unique position to be a bridge between the poll body and the Gen X and millennials. He did. He pushed and shoved COMELEC communications into the internet era,” Cruz

continued

Lawyer

Jesus Falcis

also described Jimenez’s passing as “an end of an era.”

“And things were way better before. We rarely hear from COMELEC nowadays,” he said.

Another

Filipino

called Jimenez a “great man” who “was always willing and eager to give talks about government, law and elections” to the University of Santo Tomas Central COMELEC “pro bono.”

“He was so insistent on doing it for free that he refused us covering his transport costs, and even left the Starbucks lunch and coffee we bought for him once so that someone else can eat it. He always made time for his beloved UST and refused compensation for his time from its student organizations,” the X user said.

“Omg. Former COMELEC spox James Jimenez passed away. Thank you for serving the Filipino people,” another

wrote

“There was a time, not too long ago, when James Jimenez seemed to publicly embody the young, knowledgeable, energetic, and with it, civil servant on whom the future of the Philippines could be entrusted with,” lawyer

Oliver X.A. Reyes

said.

Aaron Bayato

wrote, tagging the account of Jimenez.

“Condolence, he was a great spokesperson of Comelec. Madaling intindihin ang sinasabi niyang info,” a

said.

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

By 2006, he had become the public face of the poll body through his role as spokesperson.