SC: ARMM polls postponement constitutional

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has declared as constitutional a law postponing elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to 2013.

Voting 8-7, the high tribunal in an en banc session ruled that Republic Act 10153, or the law postponing the ARMM polls, is constitutional.

The court also backed a provision in the law that allowed President Benigno Aquino to appoint officers-in-charge to take over the region’s elective executive and legislative positions until the next elections, which would be synchronized with the 2013 polls.

The terms of offices of ARMM officials expired last September 30.

“The majority believes it’s within the power of Congress to synchronize elections and to authorize the majority to appoint (officers in charge),” said Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez, who announced the tribunal’s decision in a press conference.

The ARMM election was supposed to be held last August 8.