STATEMENT OF SEN. DRILON ON SC DECISION DECLARING SYNCHRONIZED ARMM POLLS, APPOINTMENT OF OICs CONSTITUTIONAL

“I am glad that the Supreme Court has finally ruled on the validity of Republic Act 10153 postponing the ARMM election. I believe that this ruling supported our argument that holding a synchronized election is in line with the Constitution,” said Senator Franklin Drilon, principal author of Senate Bill 2756 that sought the deferment of the ARMM elections.

The administration-backed move to defer the ARMM polls for the purpose of synchronizing that election with the national and local elections is “actually in harmony with the intention of the Constitution to hold synchronized elections,” said Drilon, a former Justice secretary.

He earlier said that while the desire of the Constitution to synchronize both local and national elections is not explicitly stated, it can be found in Sections 2 and 5 of the transitory provisions.

On the appointment of officers in charge in the region, Drilon stated: “We believe that there is a greater chance of instituting reforms with the appointment of officials, rather than having the elections now.”

ARMM elections were originally scheduled last August 8, but under the RA 10153 signed by President Aquino in June, ARMM elections would be synchronized with the 2013 national polls.