Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo assured Wednesday the public that there will be an election in 2010 despite the House of Representatives approval of a resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the 1987 Constitution.
 
“No. It cannot be postponed. That (Con-ass) cannot be a vehicle to postpone the elections,” Melo told reporters in an interview.
 
The poll chief said the most that he could foresee that the proposed Charter Change (Cha-Cha) would affect the holding of the next presidential elections is if the plebiscite would have to be included in the ballots.
 
“If at all there will be (Cha-Cha), the proposed amendments to the Constitution will be included in the elections. Part of the election process will be the plebiscite. We will vote for elective officials and then if are you in favor of amending the Constitution this way and that way,” said Melo.
 
Even the chairman of the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) also expressed confidence with the holding of the May 2010 national and local elections.
 
“With or without the constitutional amendments the elections are scheduled. If they cancel the elections and that is by law, I do not know if they have that power because the election is scheduled by the Constitution,” SBAC chair Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan said.
 
In the meantime, the poll body said they will just continue with their preparations for the first-ever automated elections in the country.

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See also:

• Con-ass illegal – Enrile
• Palace allies push Con-ass approval