MANILA, June 14 (PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer hold plebiscites starting Aug. 1, 2015 in view of the preparations for the May 9, 2016 national and local polls.
“Whereas, in order to concentrate all its resources in the preparation for the May 9, 2016 national and local elections, there is a need to set a cut-off date for the conduct of plebiscites,” according to the Comelec Resolution No. 9968.
The poll body has decided to defer the holding of plebiscites, despite having at least six pending requests at the Comelec-Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations.
“Therefore, the Comelec has resolved to defer effective August 1, 2015 the conduct of all plebiscites until after the May 9, 2016 national and local elections,” the resolution dated June 10 said.
Of the six pending plebiscites, only that for the creation of seven new barangays separated from its mother barangay of San Vicente in San Pedro City, Laguna will be conducted on July 11.
Those ordered deferred are the plebiscites to ratify the name change of Barangay Baluga to Barangay Sto. Nino in Talavera, Nueva Ecija; the name change of Barangay Kabayan to Barangay Kabejan in Kabayan, Benguet; the creation of Sitio Tumibo into a separate barangay out of Barangay Tangal in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro; the creation of Sitio Naibuan into a separate barangay out of Barangay Batasan in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and the name change of Barangay Dumalneg to Barangay Kabaritan in Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte.
On the other hand, the poll body noted that a plebiscite can still be conducted if the commission en banc decide it is necessary.
“… unless the Commission, in the exercise of its discretion, decides to hold a plebiscite on, before, or simultaneously with the May 9, 2016 national and local elections,” added the resolution.
With this, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) plebiscite can still be held since the law is not yet approved.
“If the Comelec decides na kailangan naman talagang mag-plebiscite between now and next year, pwede naman yun. At hindi considered among the deferred ang BBL kasi hindi pa naman nakasalang ang plebiscite noon,” according to Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez.
The commission is mandated to conduct a plebiscite for the BBL for the ratification and determination of the Bangsamoro territory. (PNA)