MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) A consolidated measure resetting the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been approved by a panel at the House of Representatives.
Members of the committee on suffrage and electoral reforms voted 17-3, with 2 abstentions, despite a warning by Elections commissioner Rene Sarmiento that suspending the polls would raise ?legal and constitutional? problems and that the issue could be elevated to the Supreme Court.
Those who voted for the approval of House Bills 4832 and 4835 both resetting the ARMM polls from August 11 to May 2010 were House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Simeon Datumanong, Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar, Sultan Kudarat Representative Datu Pax Mangudadatu, Maguindanao Representative Didagen Dilangalen, Lanao del Norte Representative Abdullah Dimaporo, Lanao del Sur Representative Faysah Dumarpa, Quezon City Representative Matias Defensor, Valenzuela Representative Magtanggol Gunigundo, Nueva Ecija Representative Eduardo Nonato Joson, Leyte Representatives Martin Romualdez and Eufrocino Codilla, Marikina Representative Teodoro Marcelino, Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga, La Union Representative Thomas Dumpit Jr., Camiguin Representative Pedro Romualdo, Negros Oriental Representative George Arnaiz, and Bukidnon Representative Candido Pancrudo.
The three that voted no were Camarines Norte Representative Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, and Makati Representative Abigail Binay.
Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Women?s Partylist Representative Luzviminda Ilagan abstained in the voting.
The outcome of the meeting will be reported out on the floor on Monday for either approval or rejection.
Before the voting, Sarmiento warned the committee of the legal issues the proposed legislation might encounter such as the 15-day period required under the Constitution before a law could take effect.
This means that any proposal for the postponement of the ARMM elections should only take effect 15 days after its enactment into law.
?That will be problematic Mr. Chair. That will raise a legal and constitutional issue. This might be elevated to the Supreme Court,? Sarmiento said in response to a question by Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr., chairman of the committee.
?This is why Mr. Chair, we can?t postpone the August 11. This is a mandate of the law and we have complied with that,? the commissioner said.
In pushing for the elections, Sarmiento also cited the millions of pesos spent by the government to prepare for this process -- the first automated election in the country.
?We have spent a lot, hundreds of millions of pesos for these forthcoming elections. Contracts had been entered into and we?re afraid, if this shall not push through what will happen to this technology? They might not be appropriate for 2010 and the money spent will be put to waste.? he said.
Sarmiento, who also participated in the peace negotiations with the communist and Moro rebels, stressed that aside from holding talks, peace could also be achieved in Mindanao by pursuing the elections.
?The just and lasting peace in Mindanao can be achieved with two things; on with the peace process, on with the elections. That to me is the peace formula in Mindanao,? he further said.
The commissioner expressed disappointment on the committee?s decision.
Locsin, who has been opposing the postponement, was equally disappointed because his call Wednesday night on the floor for his colleagues to attend the hearing fell on deaf ears.
?I think it?s very clear that although I made a call -- really loud, almost insulting -- and they did not show up,? he told reporters after the hearing.
?Now, you will know who?s running for the Senate. Those who did not show up. So the Senate line-up is clarified,? he added.
