MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipinos will probably never understand why Esquire Philippines chose Maria Ressa as its ”sexiest woman alive” in 2010. Neither will they figure out why the magazine has chosen Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez as the magazine’s very first ”sexiest man alive.”

Is it the greying beard and mustache? Is it his glasses that frame his moon-like face? Is it the eye contact he maintains when responding to media questions? Well, who knows?

But Jimenez is definitely the man of the hour in this very contentious election period when the nation picks its 17th president come May 9, 2022.

It all started late last year when Jimenez called The Adobo Chronicles ”fake news” when we published a satirical article in which we said that then Commissioner Rowena Guanzon wanted to scrap the 2022 elections.

Jimenez also made a controversial decision to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Rappler to deal with disinformation and voter engagement in connection with the elections (Comelec just suspended the MOA after Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court to nullify the partnership.)

The Comelec Spox is also in trouble after he ordered the taking down of ”illegal” tarpaulins and posters of political candidates, mostly from the camp of Leni Robredo. The Supreme Court has issued a Temporary Restraining Order against Comelec.

As if these were not enough, Jimenez announced yet another questionable partnership with Vote Pilipinas for the conduct of the Comelec’s 2022 presidential and vice presidential debates. He warned that candidates who will not participate in the debates will be barred from using the poll body’s e-rally platform.

Jimenez has also recently denied reports that Comelec’s database has been hacked, after an investigative report was published by The Manila Bulletin.

Perhaps it is Jimenez’ handling of these controversies that Esquire found sexy, and which could eventually make the spokesperson the last man standing in these elections.