DZIQ: Senate urged to support proposed ARMM elections suspension

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is urging the Senate to support the administration’s proposal to suspend the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections in August, a senator told Radyo Inquirer Thursday.

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is urging the Senate to support the administration’s proposal to suspend the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections in August, a senator told Radyo Inquirer Thursday.

“The President is encouraging the Senate to support his proposal of synchronized election in 2013 in ARMM by backing the suspension of its election this year,” said Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the committee on public order and illegal drugs.

Speaking in Filipino, Drilon said President Aquino believed that the government would have a hard time implementing the reforms intended for the Muslim region if it would have a separate election from the one to be held in 2013.

Drilon said these included Aquino’s resolve to end the domination of one family in a province, and their abusive use of firearms, public funds and armies.

Asked if the Senate agreed with the proposal, Drilon said they have not been informed of the final head count of the senators supporting it but added that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the Liberal Party senators expressed support for Aquino.

“I agree with the president’s provision since this will not be the first postponement,” Drilon said, citing that the ARMM elections have been postponed 10 times.

“We will know the official report when Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. [Chair of Senate Committee on Local Government] submitted the committee report,” he said.

The bill for the suspension of ARMM election set on the First Monday of August was passed in the House of Representatives but still pending in the Senate.

Carissa Caraig