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DAVAO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will put up Legal Assistance Desks (LAD) in all provinces, including the Bangsamoro region, to assist the Electoral Boards and all persons rendering service for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur.
This was the Comelec’s primary duty as stated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on Thursday, October 19, in this city, between the poll body and the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
The LAD shall be manned by Comelec personnel, and Support Staff from the MBHTE, under the supervision and control of the Comelec. This is in case a report or complaint is lodged against them by reason of or on the occasion of the performance of their functions or duties during elections.
On the other hand, the MBHTE shall monitor the Electoral Boards, Supervisor Officials, and the respective support staff in the performance of their election duties.
MBHTE Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal emphasized that the partnership is to address a matter of utmost importance – the participation of dedicated Bangsamoro public school teachers in the upcoming BSKE.
The collaboration, according to him, signifies a significant stride towards pursuing honest, credible, and just elections in BARMM, especially since this region is a proponent of Moral Governance.
BARMM Chief Minister Lauds Comelec for partnership with MBHTE
“As we approach the Barangay-level elections, we must not forget the vital role that our teachers play in ensuring the conduct of fair and transparent polls. Their integrity and dedication are essential in upholding the sanctity of the electoral process, which is the cornerstone of a democratic country,” said Iqbal.
He further affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to support and protect the teachers who willingly step up to serve during the election period.
“This MOA provides a framework that ensures that the rights and welfare of our teachers are upheld. With this partnership, we protect the teachers as they protect our votes – and as they protect our votes, we surely protect the future of children by ensuring that only those elected by the people will run the elective posts,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. “Al-Hajj Murad” Ebrahim commended the steadfast leadership of Comelec Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia for the openness to partner with the MBHTE.
“I am optimistic that this MOA will address gaps, issues, and concerns that beleaguer the application of the Election Service Reform Act in the BARMM,” said Ebrahim.
Extending the Bangsamoro Government’s appreciation to those will be serving the upcoming elections, Ebrahim said, “we thank you for your invaluable service to ensure a safe and credible 2023 BSKE. May the Almighty Allah bless you with guidance and protection as you perform your crucial tasks in the coming days.” (✓) — via MBHTE