Groups file petitions vs ARMM polls postponement at SC

MANILA, Philippines—A group of Muslim leaders, a political party and a prominent election lawyer on Monday filed separate petitions asking the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the law postponing the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Former Tawi-Tawi governor Almarim Centi Tillah, professor Datu Casan Conding Cana and PDP Laban president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III asked the High Court to declare Republic Act 10153 as “unconstitutional and invalid” and issue a temporary restraining order against its implementation.

PDP Laban has fielded candidates for next month’s elections, including President Aquino’s aunt, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco.

Less than an hour after they filed their petition, veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal filed his own petition asking for a TRO against RA 10153 as well.

Macalintal argued that the postponement of the ARMM elections to synchronize it with the 2013 national and local elections takes away ARMM’s autonomy.

Moreover, Macalintal said the appointment of officers-in-charge is unconstitutional.

Tilla et al., is represented by former Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr., who authored the Organic Law of the ARMM.

Pimentel said any changes in the Organic Law, which includes provisions in the ARMM elections, should pass through a plebiscite.

President Aquino signed RA 10153 last week without the law being ratified through a plebiscite.

These were the same arguments raised by opposition leader Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman last week in the similar petition he filed before the High Tribunal.