The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The government is carefully evaluating its course of action in response to the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent decision upholding the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) while excluding Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“We’re still studying it,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday, addressing calls to suspend the BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.
In its ruling dated September 9, the SC affirmed the validity of the BOL but excluded Sulu from BARMM. The decision was declared final and effective immediately.
President Marcos acknowledged the complexities arising from the ruling, which include significant administrative and legislative challenges. He noted the potential need for creating a new province and amending the BARMM law to address these issues.
“Mayroong pitong distrito na nasa BARMM na dati galing sa Sulu. Ngayon wala silang congressman. Wala silang probinsya. Mayroon ding walong municipality na walang distrito at walang probinsya, pero nanalo sa plebisito. So, kasama sila sa BARMM,” he explained.
The President emphasized the importance of addressing these unintended consequences through legislative measures and administrative adjustments.
“Kaya’t ‘yung mga transition authority kailangan trabahuhin ngayon para doon
sa bagong sistema, doon sa bagong administrative code, sa bagong local government code, sa bagong electoral code. Iyon ang kailangan nilang trabahuhin,” he pointed out.
On the timing of the BARMM parliamentary elections, President Marcos suggested they could be synchronized with the midterm polls. However, he did not rule out a possible postponement if preparations fall short.
“Marami tayo na hindi nakita na naging unintended consequence ng decision ng Supreme Court. Kaya hangga’t maaari gagawin namin na isasabay. Pero kung hindi kaya, mas mabuti nang maging tama kaysa sa madaliin natin tapos magkagulo lang,” he said.
When asked if aligning the BARMM elections with the midterm polls is feasible, President Marcos said the matter remains under study, with various proposals under consideration.
Despite these challenges, the President assured that preparations for the elections are ongoing to ensure a smooth and orderly process.