THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ceased its preparations for the plebiscites set to be held in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) after the Supreme Court (SC) blocked the electoral activities.
Elections chairman George Garcia said the Comelec en banc has directed field personnel to halt their ongoing preparations for the plebiscites for the creation of the municipalities of Nuling, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, and Sheik Abas Hamza, all in Maguindanao del Norte.
Garcia said the plebiscites would have helped the Comelec to “assess our preparedness in holding the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.”
As for the expenses incurred in their preparations, the Comelec chief said they have already spent a substantial amount but did not give a specific amount.
“There have been substantial expenses since we have already purchased election paraphernalia and supplies, including the ballot papers,” he said.
He, however, assured that they are prepared to submit all the necessary documents to the BARMM, which provided the budget for the plebiscites.
“We are going to liquidate and submit reports of the expenditures to (the) Bangsamoro for the proper auditing and accounting of funds,” he said.
The SC on August 20 directed the Comelec not to perform acts related to the ratification of the laws creating the Municipalities of Nuling, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, and Sheik Abas Hamza.
