00:00The Supreme Court has already decided that the province of Sulu is not included in the Moro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.
00:10Explained by the Supreme Court, the decision was unanimous by UNBANK and it is based on the petition that was submitted to them that there is a question on the inclusion of Sulu in BARMM.
00:21But because of this, the Commission on Elections said that it resulted in a big problem for the first parliamentary election in BARMM in 2025.
00:32Not only in their preparation, but it has an implication or effect on the country.
00:38It is a big problem for Comelec. We admit that the preparation of the whole Commission, even the system that we are preparing, even the operational plan,
00:47the administrative plan of Comelec is included in Sulu. Not only because it is part of the Moro Autonomous Region, but it has an implication in the whole Philippines.
00:57Even so, Comelec said that they have a promise for now that they will do everything to continue the election in the Moro Autonomous Region.
01:05In the meantime, we will endeavor at all cost to proceed with the election in the Moro Autonomous Region.
01:14At this point, we are not looking for an embankment or a commission to postpone or reset the election in the Moro Autonomous Region.
01:23It is possible that Comelec will appeal the decision of the Supreme Court.
01:27But because the Supreme Court ordered the decision to be implemented immediately, the Commission cannot do anything but make a mistake.
01:33But what they want is to clarify if a change in the law or in the Moro Organic Law is also needed.
01:40Because if Sulu is removed from BARMM, the number of voters in the region will be less for the parliamentary elections.
01:47Another thing they are asking is if the number of sectoral and political parties for BARMM will also move.
01:54Will there be a change in the composition or the number of members of the Moro Party?
02:00And if that happens, is the law sufficient and can Comelec take action based on that change
02:07when there is no amendment of the law from the Congress and from our Parliament, the Moro Party,
02:13regarding the number of members of the Parliament?
02:15All of that we will weigh and balance and we will know when we have a formal discussion.
02:22Comelec said that for now, they have helped the affected departments in the change of elections in BARMM.
02:28While Comelec and Bank are also helping today on their next steps for the parliamentary elections in 2025.
02:38Louisa Erispe for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
