Metro Manila, Philippines – The first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections face another hurdle after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order, prompting the Commission on Elections to suspend preparations less than a month before the polls.
In a nine-page resolution dated Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Comelec en banc adopted the recommendation of its Bangsamoro Study Group and Law Department to suspend all preparations for the Oct. 13 polls “until the Supreme Court lifts the Temporary Restraining Order or resolves the validity of BAA No. 77 on the merits.”
Bangsamoro Autonomous Act 77 reallocates seven parliamentary seats initially assigned to the province of Sulu, which has been excluded from the region through a SC decision. Petitions have been filed against the law for allegedly violating the Constitution and the Voter’s Registration Act by altering electoral precincts during the election period.
Pending resolution of the case, the court issued a stay against Comelec, Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and other concerned agencies, barring them from implementing BAA 77 with immediate effect.
“Bilang pagtalima sa inissue na TRO kahapon ay nag susupend ng lahat ng preparasyon patungkol sa conduct ng election [In compliance with the TRO issued yesterday, we are suspending all preparations related to the conduct of the election],” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters after the en banc session.
Garcia said the poll body will file a manifestation on Thursday, Sept. 18, to clarify its next steps in light of the TRO and submit its official comment on the petitions by Monday, Sept. 22.
