Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Monday proposed a fix to address a potential constitutional infirmity in a bill proposing the scheduling of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
While Lacson pointed out that he does not object to Senate Bill 1823, he cited a possible issue involving the constitutional mandate for synchronized national and local elections.
“At the outset, let me clarify that I am not objecting to the measure under consideration. Rather, this is a manifestation of concern, particularly on a potential Constitutional infirmity,” he said in his interpellation of the Senate bill.
In Filipino: Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng Pag-amyenda upang Matugunan ang Posibleng Isyung Konstitusyonal sa Panukalang Halalan sa BARMM
He noted that while Senate Bill 1823 set the elections in BARMM to “the second Monday of September 2026 and every three years thereafter,” a decision by the Supreme Court in 2011 (GR 196271 dated Oct. 18, 2011, Abas Kida vs Senate of the Philippines) affirmed synchronization as a recognized constitutional mandate.
In GR 196271, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act 10153, which provides for the synchronization of the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the national and local elections, resetting it from Aug. 8, 2011 to the second Monday of May 2013 and every three years thereafter.
“Ni-reaffirm ng Supreme Court ang (The Supreme Court affirmed the) constitutional mandate for synchronized national and local elections under the 1987 Constitution, recognizing synchronization as a core constitutional principle that shapes the structure of Filipino democratic governance,” Lacson said.
“But under the measure (Senate Bill 1823), specifically Section 1 that seeks to amend Sec 13, Art 16 of RA 11054, the organic law of the BARMM, inaamin po natin na ginagawa nating second Monday of Sept 2026 and every three years thereafter. So does it mean na maging permanent ito maging every second Monday of September (Under Senate Bill 1823, specifically Sec. 1 that seeks to amend Sec. 13, Art. 16 of RA 11054… we are admitting that we will set the BARMM elections to the second Monday of September 2026 and every three years thereafter. So does it mean we will permanently hold elections in BARMM every second Monday of September)?” he added.
Also, Lacson said he would propose during the period of amendments to the bill to allow the extension of terms of the current elected officials if this particular election will be held in September 2026.
“Let them extend their term of office until June 30, 2031,” he noted.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the sponsor of the proposed measure, agreed with Lacson’s point, saying that “I accept that we synchronize it and I believe the good gentleman from Cavite has the perfect amendment.”
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Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng Pag-amyenda upang Matugunan ang Posibleng Isyung Konstitusyonal sa Panukalang Halalan sa BARMM
Iminungkahi ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes ang isang pag-amyenda upang matugunan ang posibleng constitutional infirmity ng isang panukalang batas na nagtatakda ng iskedyul ng halalan sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Bagama’t iginiit ni Lacson na wala siyang pagtutol sa Senate Bill 1823, itinuro niya ang posibleng isyu kaugnay ng mandato ng Saligang Batas para sa synchronized na pambansa at lokal na halalan.
“At the outset, let me clarify that I am not objecting to the measure under consideration. Rather, this is a manifestation of concern, particularly on a potential Constitutional infirmity,” aniya sa kanyang interpelasyon.
Binanggit niya na bagama’t itinatakda ng Senate Bill 1823 ang halalan sa BARMM sa ikalawang Lunes ng Setyembre 2026 “and every three years thereafter,” pinagtibay ng Supreme Court of the Philippines sa desisyon nito noong 2011 (GR No. 196271, Oktubre 18, 2011, Abas Kida vs. Senate of the Philippines) ang prinsipyo ng sabayang halalan bilang kinikilalang mandato ng Konstitusyon.
Sa GR 196271, pinagtibay ng Korte Suprema ang konstitusyonalidad ng Republic Act 10153, na nagtatakda ng pagsasabay ng halalan sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) sa pambansa at lokal na halalan – mula Agosto 8, 2011 ay inilipat sa ikalawang Lunes ng Mayo 2013 at tuwing ikatlong taon pagkatapos nito.
“Ni-reaffirm ng Supreme Court ang constitutional mandate for synchronized national and local elections under the 1987 Constitution, recognizing synchronization as a core constitutional principle that shapes the structure of Filipino democratic governance,” ani Lacson.
“But under the measure (Senate Bill 1823), specifically Section 1 that seeks to amend Sec 13, Art 16 of RA 11054, the organic law of the BARMM, inaamin po natin na ginagawa nating second Monday of Sept 2026 and every three years thereafter. So does it mean na maging permanent ito maging every second Monday of September?” dagdag niya.
Sinabi din ni Lacson na maghahain siya ng panukalang pag-amyenda sa period of amendments upang pahintulutan ang pagpapalawig ng termino ng kasalukuyang mga halal na opisyal kung isasagawa ang halalan sa Setyembre 2026.
“Let them extend their term of office until June 30, 2031,” aniya.
Sinuportahan naman ni Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, na sponsor ng panukala, ang punto ni Lacson.
“I accept that we synchronize it and I believe the good gentleman from Cavite has the perfect amendment,” ani Zubiri.
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