Comelec thanks SC for opportunity to speak on BSKE postponement petition

The Commission on Elections on Saturday thanked the Supreme Court for giving them the chance to speak on Comelec's preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, as well as the poll body's views on the BSKE's postponement.

In a press statement, Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said Comelec Chairman George Garcia spoke during Friday's oral arguments on the petition challenging the law postponing the BSKE.

“In so far as the cases are concerned, as Comelec Chairman George Garcia had stated, the COMELEC will submit to the wisdom of the Highest Court and will comply with its orders, processes, and most importantly, its decision on the Petitions,” he added.

Laudiangco also thanked the SC Justices for recognizing that the Comelec was capable and competent to prepare for and conduct the BSKE "save only for lack of material time to pursue it to the end, brought about by circumstances attendant to the passage of Republic Act No. 11935.”

The SC on Friday ordered election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, the Comelec, and the Office of the President to submit their memoranda on BSKE postponement after the oral arguments.

Macalintal had filed a petition urging the SC to order the Comelec and the Office of the President to cease and desist from implementing Republic Act 11935.

The law moved the BSKE from December 2022 to October 2023.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo instructed the Comelec to include in its memorandum the possible dates of elections should the SC issue a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the law. — DVM, GMA News