Former lawmaker also asks SC to stop resetting of ARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines - Former Negros Oriental first district congressman Jacinto Paras has joined a bid in the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the Palace from canceling the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections originally set next month but were moved to 2013 by virtue of Republic Act 10153.

In a 21-page petition, Paras asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the Palace from implementing the new law, which he alleged violated Section 15, Article X of the Constitution that provides autonomy to the ARMM.

“Synchronizing the ARMM election with the national and local elections scheduled for May 2013 makes the ARMM no different from the regular cities, provinces and municipalities of the Philippines... Under this set-up, the autonomy guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution to the ARMM is rendered meaningless by Republic Act 10153,” he argued.

Paras also questioned the provision in the law signed by President Aquino last June 30 allowing the replacement of all elective ARMM officials with officers-in-charge appointed by the Palace.

“Since these officers-in-charge will owe their office to President Aquino, they will be beholden to the President and not to the constituents of the ARMM. Under this set-up, the autonomy of the ARMM is reduced to fiction,” the petition read.

Paras also argued that RA 10153 also violates Sections 1 and 3, Article XVII of RA 9054 (Expanded Organic Act of the ARMM) that require two-thirds of separate votes of both houses of Congress.

“An organic act is the equivalent of the Constitution of a local government unit. For this reason, an organic act may not be amended or modified like any ordinary or regular legislative enactment,” Paras said.

“RA 10153 moved the said (ARMM) election to May 2013. Therefore, RA 10153 amended RA 9054. To be valid, RA 10153 must comply with Sections 1 and 3, Article XVII of RA 9054,” he said.

Similar cases were earlier filed by House Minority Leader Rep. Edcel Lagman, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), and Muslim leaders.