MANILA – The Supreme Court has ruled to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from holding plebiscites on Sept. 7 and 21 regarding the ratification of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 53, 54, and 55 creating the municipalities of Datu Sinsuat Balbaran and Sheik Abas Hamza in Maguindanao del Norte, and Nuling in Sultan Kudarat.
In a statement Tuesday, the high court said it ruled unanimously to declare as unconstitutional Section 5 of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 53, 54, and 55, which allows only the qualified voters of the barangays comprising the new municipalities to vote in the plebiscite.
The court ruled that qualified voters “from both the new and mother municipalities“ should be included in the plebiscite.
“The prayer for injunctive relief is also granted. Accordingly, a final prohibitory injunction is issued, effective immediately,” it said.
The court directed the Comelec to stop implementing its resolution Nos. 11011 and 11012, which set the plebiscite to ratify the creation of the three new municipalities. (PNA)