Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia (File photo)
MANILA – The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in May next year will push through despite the Supreme Court's (SC) decision excluding the province of Sulu from the region, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, in an interview, said the matter would be discussed by the poll body's seven-member en banc on Wednesday.
“Again, sa puntong ito, hindi iniisip ng en banc na magpostpone ng elections sa (At this point, the en banc is not thinking of postponing the elections in the) Bangsamoro. In the meantime, at this point, para mawala ang mga agam agam (to allay doubts), the Comelec is hell bent on proceeding with the elections in Bangsamoro. Of course subject to our final disposition by tomorrow,” Garcia added.
The Comelec chief, however, admitted he was surprised by the tribunal's ruling.
"The announcement of the Supreme Court removing Sulu from BARMM is a big problem on the part of the Comelec. In our preparations, systems, operational plan and administrative plan, Sulu is part of BARMM. We have discussed so many things and we need to decide quickly so that the fate of our people in the BARMM won't be uncertain or hanging," he added.
Garcia, meanwhile, said the poll body would make the necessary adjustments in compliance with the ruling.
"The SC's main deposition is immediately executory. Sulu should be immediately removed from BARMM. It has so many implications," he added.
On the other hand, Garcia advised those who will run in the BARMM polls to remain ready.
"Unless there are changes, our initial decision is that the polls would push through. Don't think that it would be postponed. The Comelec will do something to realize our commitment to proceed with the elections,” he added.
On Monday, the high court affirmed the validity of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
It, however, declared that Sulu is not part of the BARMM after the province rejected the law's ratification. (PNA)
