Supreme Court asked to stop Comelec decision barring new Bangsamoro villages from local vote
A PETITION has been filed asking the country’s Highest Court to stop a Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling that bars around 200,000 voters in 63 villages from voting for local positions in the May elections.
The 63 barangays used to be part of Cotabato province but are now under the new Bangsamoro region after a majority voted yes during a referendum on the transfer in Feb. 2019.
These barangays, considered as “Special Geographic Areas” (SGAs), have yet to be designated their new local government unit as required under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Cotabato province formally turned over these SGAs, which are spread across six towns, to the Bangsamoro regional government on Nov. 20, 2019.
The disputed Comelec resolution allows voters in these areas to vote for national positions in the May poll, but not anymore for local positions in their previous town designations within Cotabato.
The petition for certiorari and prohibition, which also asks for a temporary restraining order, was filed by a group led by Cotabato Provincial Board Member Dulia D. Sultan, who represents the league of barangays.
“The instant petition…. seeks for the declaration of nullity and unconstitutionality of Comelec Minute Resolution No. 21-0953,” reads part of the filing.
Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, head of the provincial board, has expressed support for the petition.
“While we respect the Comelec decision, we are one with the call of our Moro brothers and sisters to… be allowed to vote for local positions in Cotabato,” she said in a statement.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government has also appealed to the Comelec to reconsider its ruling.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which administers the BARMM, is responsible for redistricting the new areas. — Maya M. Padillo
