MANILA - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes on Thursday said Commissioner Grace Padaca has been inhibiting herself from her electoral protest against Isabela governor Bojie Dy.

This, after election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo filed a motion for inhibition against Padaca on behalf of Dy on Wednesday.

Sardillo recently declined her nomination to the Comelec as commissioner, which means brushing elbows with Padaca.

Sardillo's petition cited that Padaca is still pursuing the electoral protest despite her assumption of office as Comelec commissioner.

"Alam ko naman matagal na ang mga 'no' part ni Commissioner Padaca," Brillantes said.

The poll body, nonetheless, is considering transferring the electoral protest from the second division, where Padaca is a member, to the 1st division.

Brillantes said he is also considering sitting at the 2nd division so it can still function on the case even with Padaca not taking part.

Brillantes believes Sardillo merely wants to put the inhibition on record even if the latter had been inhibiting already by signing "no part" in all division moves on the case.

He said he cannot compel Padaca to inhibit. "I have no authority to order her. That's her discretion, it will be abnormal for her to be participating in her own case."