Bangsamoro polls to proceed – Comelec

Despite Sulu exclusion from BARMM

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no plans to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from BARMM.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia admitted he was surprised by the ruling, but gave assurance that the poll body would make necessary adjustments.

“At this point, we will proceed with the elections in Bangsamoro. We don’t want to be uncertain not only for the candidates, but also for everyone who are waiting for developments due to the Supreme Court (SC) ruling,” Garcia said yesterday.

He said the SC ruling gave the Comelec a major problem as all preparations for the Bangsamoro elections in May next year included Sulu.

Garcia said the decision of the high court has numerous implications and the Comelec must take immediate action on the matter.

He said the Comelec would discuss plans and actions today.

“But again, at this point, we are not thinking of postponing or resetting the Bangsamoro elections,” he said.

Garcia said the poll body intended to file a motion for reconsideration before the SC, but the decision is “immediately executory” and the removal of Sulu from BARMM is already enforceable.

The exclusion of Sulu means reducing the number of positions to be contested in the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Garcia advised aspirants in the BARMM elections to push through with their plans.

“Don’t ever think that the elections will not push through,” he told aspiring BARMM poll candidates.

Mindanao lawmakers sad over Sulu exclusion

Meanwhile, Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Mujiv Hataman of Basilan expressed sadness over the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM.

Although they respect the decision of the high court, the lawmakers said the exclusion of Sulu left a “deep void” in the Bangsamoro region.

Adiong said Sulu has been a “foundational part” of the autonomous government in the region.

“Alongside Lanao del Sur, Sulu was one of the original provinces that formed the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), embodying the aspirations of our people for self-governance, peace and development,” Adiong said.

He said it was the bravery of the people of Sulu that started the formation of the BARMM.

“These are political tremors that endanger the very foundation of a unified Bangsamoro region. With the departure of Sulu, the remaining provinces must now ask themselves whether the door has been opened for their own departure,” Adiong said.

“We all find ourselves back to square one,” he added.

Hataman reiterated Adiong’s statement regarding the role of Sulu in the struggles for a “free Bangsamoro.”

A former ARMM governor, Hataman reflected on the impact of the SC decision on the broader Bangsamoro movement.

“Bangsamoro will not be complete without Sulu. This is a major blow to our efforts to unite the provinces in the region,” he said. — Sheila Crisostomo, John Unson