THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the election for members of House of Representatives in Southern Leyte following the signing of Republic Act 11198 by President Rodrigo Duterte last February 1.

The law, which divided the province into two congressional districts, took effect February 19, 15 days after it was published in the Official Gazette on February 4.

However, the Comelec shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 30 days after its effectivity.

Considering the “operational and logistical constraints” in modifying or revising its electoral data in the automated election system, the Comelec issued Resolution 10513 on March 25, saying the first regular election for the two districts will be held “within six months from May 13, 2019” elections.

The electoral data include the list of congressional candidates and

position of member, among others.

The election for senators, party-list representatives, provincial, city, and municipal offices shall be held as scheduled on May 13.

“That is what it is. We should respect the Comelec en banc decision,” said Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado, son of incumbent Southern Leyte Representative Roger Mercado.

“We cannot do anything about it since the law should be effective immediately,” Mercado told SunStar Philippines.

Based on the new law, the first legislative district will be composed of Maasin City, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, and Bontoc.

The second legislative district will be composed of Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, Anahawan, San Juan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago.

Representative Mercado shall continue to represent the district until the new congressmen of the First and Second Legislative Districts shall have been duly elected and qualified, according to the law. (SunStar Philippines)