THE Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) yesterday called on the Supreme Court (SC) and other concerned parties to quickly resolve issues regarding the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) to allow it to push through.
In a statement, the IEMC underscored the importance of quickly resolving the legality of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77.
“The IEMC strongly urges the Supreme Court, Comelec (Commission on Elections), and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to immediately resolve the outstanding legal issues surrounding the regional parliamentary elections in the BARMM so that the elections can proceed on October 13, or at the earliest possible date thereafter,” said the IEMC.
It stressed that repeated or prolonged delays in the BARMM polls would not bode well for the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is crucial to emphasize that repeated postponements of elections in the BARMM undermine the integrity of the electoral process and erode the public’s trust in elections as a vital means of citizen expression and representation in governance,” it said.
On Wednesday, the Comelec announced the indefinite suspension of all its preparations for the Bangsamoro polls after the SC issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the poll body and the BTA from enforcing BAA No. 77, which reorganized BARMM’s parliamentary districts.
The suspension of the Comelec’s preparations effectively put in limbo the conduct of the October 13 polls.
The IEMC, though, said it agrees with the Comelec in its decision to freeze its preparations for the BPE.
“The IEMC fully supports the Commission on Elections in its decision to halt preparations for the October 13 elections until the Supreme Court clarifies the implications of its order temporarily enjoining the implementation of BAA 77,” said the umbrella group.
Sen. Imee Marcos questioned the Comelec’s decision, noting that the SC issued a TRO only on the matter of redistricting of the region, and not in the conduct of the Bangsamoro elections.
“Why is Comelec in such a hurry not to hold the BARMM elections? The TRO issued by the Supreme Court is not on the BARMM elections, rather, it is only on the redistricting,” Marcos said.
“It is puzzling why the Comelec suddenly halted preparations for the BARMM elections supposedly set for October,” she said, adding that there could be “certain dark forces” manipulating the Comelec into deciding to suspend its preparations for the BPE.
“We must not let confusion or the vested interests of hidden forces take away the Mindanaoan people’s right to choose their leaders,” she said.
In a related development, Comelec chairman George Garcia clarified that only their BPE preparations have been suspended indefinitely.
Garcia said all prohibited activities remain in effect, particularly those within the Election Period, which include the carrying of firearms; use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates; suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officials; and the transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, among others.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said security forces will continue to prepare for the BARMM parliamentary elections.
“For the security sector, we will still continue the preparation… We respect the issuance of the higher court but we will continue to prepare,” Año told an ambush interview in Makati City.
“As far as the situation is concerned, it is stable and peaceful. Our Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police are prepared,” he also said, stressing that the government wants the elections to proceed “because a lot of issues will be resolved through the election in BARMM.”
“We’ll just wait for further development. But we will continue the preparation despite the announcement of the Comelec to suspend the preparation,” Año said.
In a statement, the PNP said its security preparation for the elections will remain in full swing.
“We fully respect the Supreme Court’s decision and the Comelec resolution to suspend election preparations,” said acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
“Our duty is to maintain peace and security in the region, and we will sustain our readiness so that once the green light is given, we are prepared to secure the elections,” added Nartatez.
Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the the PNP mandate “does not change with the suspension.”
“We will continue to work with stakeholders to safeguard communities and protect the democratic process. Respecting the court’s ruling is essential, but so is ensuring that we are ready when the elections are rescheduled or allowed to proceed,” Tuaño said. – With Victor Reyes
