SC stops plebiscites for 3 new BARMM towns

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has stopped the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from holding plebiscites for the creation of three new municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The SC Public Information Office (PIO) said the high court unanimously declared as unconstitutional Section 5 of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 53, 54 and 55, which allows only qualified voters of barangays comprising the municipalities to vote in the plebiscites.

“The court ruled that qualified voters from both the new and mother municipalities should be included in the plebiscites,” the SC-PIO said.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body would abide by the SC decision canceling the plebiscites set next month.

“We will immediately comply upon notice,” Garcia said.

He said BARMM funds were used for the preparations of the canceled plebiscites.

Bangsamoro Act 54 and 55 seek the creation of Datu Sinsuat Balbaran and Shiek Abas Hamza, respectively, from the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte.

Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 53 seeks the creation of Nuling town from the municipality of Sultan Kudarat.

The SC granted the injunctive relief sought by the petitioners, which prompted the issuance of a final prohibitory injunction effective immediately.

The high tribunal ordered the Comelec to stop implementing its resolution 11011 and 11012, which set the plebiscites for the creation of three new municipalities on Sept. 7 and 21.