MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 14 (PIA) -- Some non-government and civil society organizations, here, have expressed support to House Bill (HB) 4146 that seeks to postpone the August 2011 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections to May 2013 and authorize the President to appoint officers-in-charge (OIC) as caretakers during the interim period.
In a resolution issued by the officers and members of Kabnar (Human Rights) Advocates Inc., they strongly recommended and supported the postponement of the ARMM elections to give way for reforms in the attainment of just and sustainable development in the region.
During the consultations held in Marawi City last March 12, Bai Sandra A. Sema, Maguindanao First District Representative and author of HB 4146 said the synchronization, aside from being a constitutional mandate, is necessary in addressing reforms in the ARMM.
“HB 4146 is a reform bill as it addresses electoral reform and I am very happy that the President placed it as one of the priority measures which clearly indicates that ARMM is a priority concern of Malacanang,” she said.
She also disclosed that conducting elections is expensive not only in terms of money but also with regards to the physical and mental burden teachers are facing every time there is election.
The Bangsamoro Succesors’ Generation Network – Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development also backed the synchronization of ARMM polls with the 2013 national and local elections citing the bill as a proper move to initiate reforms the autonomous region.
Likewise, the Reform ARMM Now (RAN) issued a statement supporting the deferment of the regional elections to provide synergies for the peace process by making ARMM an effective mechanism for basic service delivery.
They also said the move can arrest the declining peace and order situation brought about by the proliferation of arms and increasing incidence of political violence, kidnappings and narco-criminal syndicates and rationalize government expenditure related to elections and focus fiscal priorities for electoral reforms.
The group, further, cited that the 1987 Constitution provides that all elections for national and local elections, except for barangays, shall be synchronized.
Moreover, Hadji Abdullah “Lacs” Dalidig and Dimapuno “Pangnal” Datu-Ramos of the Islamic Movement for Electoral Reform and Good Governance (IMERGG) both voiced their support to the bill during the public consultation conducted in Provincial Capitol Gym here last March 12.
They both agreed that the Bangsamoro people need more good governance, real reforms, and public service than numerous elections marred with vote-buying, fraud, manipulations and violence. (APB/PIA-10 Marawi)
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