THE continued questions surrounding the seven parliamentary seats originally allocated for Sulu is not enough ground to further delay the holding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
This was according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) while stressing that the October 13 BPE must push through as scheduled.
"Why should we postpone the elections because we are short of seven seats? Surely, 73 is the majority, not the 7," said Comelec Chairman George Garcia in an interview.
"The elections will continue on October 13. There is no doubt that there will be elections in the Bangsamoro," he added.
The poll chief noted how nobody will be left without representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament if only 73 seats will be filled up.
"They are already represented in the assigned parliamentary seats. Even if the seven seats cannot be distributed because there is no law, that is not a reason not to proceed with the elections," said Garcia.
He also said having the elections push through will allow the elected members of the parliamentary to decide how to fill up the vacancies.
"It will be up to them what they want to do with the seven seats. Appointments, special elections, leave it vacant for now, it will be at their discretion," said Garcia.
The exclusion of the Sulu province from the Barmm by the Supreme Court (SC) was among the reasons for the postponement of the BPE from May 12 to October 13.
This as there is a need for the Bangsamoro Parliament to amend the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024 and decide what to do with the seven parliamentary seats originally allocated for Sulu. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)