MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is not giving up on the implementation of Republic Act 10153, which synchronizes the elections of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with the midterm elections in 2013.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace is "saddened" by the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the ARMM polls law. He, however, added that the fight is not yet over pending the final decision of the Supreme Court.
For his part, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman praised the SC order, which also restrains the appointment of officers-in-charge of the ARMM.
He said the TRO obligates the respondents to observe "judicial courtesy" and not to pre-empt the final decision of the Supreme Court by extending precipitate appointments to OICs.
"Under existing statutes on ARMM, the prohibition on the appointments of OICs will not result to a hiatus in public service because the elected incumbents will hold-over pending the election and qualification of their successors," he said. With a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News