The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has the full backing of Malacañang for the early holding of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the administration is supportive of the Comelec resolution recommending the holding of ARMM polls not later than April 12 next year, which is a month ahead of the May 2010 elections.

"For the sake of the overall conduct of peaceful elections, Malacañang definitely will go along with it," he told in a press briefing, but he said the resolution should have to get the nod of both Chambers of Congress.

The poll body said such endorsement is needed to push forward the pending bills in Congress that will pave the way for the early holding of elections in the volatile region. The bills call for ARMM elections at least a week ahead of the 2010 elections.

The resolution was prompted by the petition of Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. that the Comelec should make endorsement for a speedy congressional action on the matter.

Ermita assured that the appropriate system is in place to ensure honest, orderly, and peaceful elections next year. "We are made to understand by Comelec, yes, the system is in place. Now, we just have to await developments,but as of now, our information is everything is go for automated elections," he said.

At the Senate, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. Thursday expressed support to the proposal of the Comelec allowing constituents in the ARMM to vote ahead of the scheduled May 10, 2010 elections.

The Comelec is pushing both the Senate and the House of Representatives to immediately pass a law that would allow them to provide an early voting not later than April 12, 2010 in ARMM. The ARMM elections would only be held for one day.

Pimentel, however, said there is no need to fast track a law that would allow the poll body to conduct early voting in the province. He said Comelec has all the powers and resources to conduct an advanced election in the region without Congress having to step in.

The region is composed of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City.

The proposal actually stemmed after the Nov. 23 political violence in Maguindanao where 57 people, mostly women and journalists, were massacred.