Comelec still prepping up for BOL plebiscite

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that they continue to prepare for the scheduled referendum despite three petitions filed before the Supreme Court (SC) against the BOL. (Photo by Elmer B. Domingo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The preparations for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on January 21 and February 6 are ongoing, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that they continue to prepare for the scheduled referendum despite three petitions filed before the Supreme Court (SC) against the BOL.

“The petitions filed at the SC is not that significant to the Comelec.

If a TRO is issued, then we just stop our work,” he said in a press briefing.

“The problem is, if we let it affect us, and allow it to dictate the phase of our preparations, what if there is no TRO issued? Then, we will be caught flat footed,” Jimenez said.

At the same time, the Comelec official added that they are ready to provide comments if required by the SC.

Jimenez said the petition was filed not against the holding of the plebiscite but rather against the law.

“Remember, the challenges are not directed versus the Comelec, but the law itself. If ever the Comelec is going to be a party, it will be mere incidental since we are just the enforcer of the law,” he said.

On Monday, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) commissioner Manuelito Luna filed the third petition before the SC challenging the BOL.

The other petitions were filed by the Philippine Constitutional Association and Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II.