Court extends order vs ARMM Assembly head

COTABATO CITY — A local judge extended for 20 more days yesterday its order for an assemblyman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to desist from functioning as Speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA).

Tawi-Tawi Assemblyman Ismael Abubakar Jr. assumed the post in a controversial leadership coup last week, unseating Maguindanao’s Ibrahim Ibay. The takeover has worsened the rivalry between the two blocs in the RLA.

In his new order, Regional Trial Court Judge Ismael Baundang directed Abubakar to stop discharging the functions of Speaker for 20 more days. He earlier issued a three-day restraining order against Abubakar.

Baundang also directed the RLA’s depository banks to continue recognizing Ibay as signatory in transactions.

Abubakar and his supporters in the RLA installed him as Speaker in a surprise session where they first declared the position vacant and, subsequently, elected him to the post.

Ibay has insisted that Abubakar’s takeover was illegal. — John Unson