Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) began preparations for the 10 new barangays in Taguig City, which were formerly under Makati City, for the upcoming barangay elections.
In December 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Parcels 3 and 4, Psu 2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays (village) Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, and Pitogo is confirmed to be part of the City of Taguig. The decision became final on September 2022.
“Comelec Chairman George Garcia and I agree that it’s imperative to take action because there’s not much time left before the elections. We respect the Supreme Court’s definition of the cities’ territorial boundaries and are coordinating accordingly, ” DILG secretary Benhur Abalos said in a statement Wednesday. He said they opted to discuss the preparations for the upcoming barangay elections while waiting for guidance from the Supreme Court.
Abalos was referring to the May 3, 2023, letter he sent to the Supreme Court requesting guidance in implementing the decision for the affected barangays.
Abalos added that the preparations only touch upon “matters of territorial supervision.”
“As for specific rights or obligations over affected property, these will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure provided by law. We will also respect any further court orders in this regard,” he added.
The DILG chief also said they are working with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Bureau of Fire Protection “to revise the areas of responsibility and reporting lines of their affected local offices, in light of the decided boundaries.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Garcia said that preparations for the transition must be taken cautiously as tensions still run high between the two cities.
“‘Di ganoon kadali itong basta mo lang ililipat. Kailangan napa-plano mabuti sapagkat alam natin mainit na rin ang tension sa lugar, nagsimula na sa paaralan, so ayaw natin ma-apektuhan ‘yong preparation natin sa Comelec,” Garcia said.
(The transition is not that easy. A meticulous plan is needed, as tensions are high in the location, it has already begun in the schools, so we don’t want that to affect our preparations in the Comelec.)
Recently, relations between the two cities soured after Makati City administrator Claro Certeza alleged that Taguig City was forcibly taking over some public schools in the territory.
However, the Taguig City government on Saturday called this claim a lie and an attempt to mislead the public.
On Tuesday, the Office of the Court Administrator declared that a writ of execution must be submitted by the Taguig City local government unit before it can assume jurisdiction over the 10 barangays.