SC: No TRO vs BOL yet, orders government to answer petitions

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections-scheduled plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law on January 21 “can” proceed as the Supreme Court has yet to issue a halt order on the landmark law, SC spokesperson Midas Marquez said.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Marquez said that the petitions filed by the Philippine Constitution Association has been consolidated with the petition earlier filed by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II.

Both petitions are challenging the constitutionality of the BOL or the Republic Act 11054.

“The Comelec has scheduled the plebiscite on the 21st since there is no TRO, as of the moment, then that plebiscite should proceed or can proceed,” Marquez explained.

Marquez added that the tribunal has ordered the Executive and Legislative branches of the government to answer the petitions within 10 days or before January 18.

The government will be represented by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

The plebiscite on January 21 is set for the ratification of the BOL.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez earlier said that the petitions lodged before the SC do not hamper the preparations for the plebiscite.

“We are not bothered by these petitions. If the SC issues a temporary restraining order, only then will we stop what we are doing,” Jimenez said.

He also pointed out that the petitions are challenging the law and not the Comelec. “If ever the Comelec is going to be a party, it’s just incidental because we are the one that enforces it,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11054 last year. In his speech, Duterte said that he hopes the law would “finally end the decades of conflict that is rooted in the Bangsamoro’s pride for self-determination and recognition of their unique identity.”