"The Comelec will abide with the decision of Congress, but in the meantime we continue the preparations to be sure we will not be caught with our pants down," Chairman Jose A. R. Melo said.

Melo said the bulk of its expenses are for the full automation of the ARMM elections, for the printing of official ballots and other election forms, and the acquisition of election paraphernalia to be used in 5,175 clustered precincts where the 1,516,703 registered voters in the Autonomous Region will cast their votes.

For the poll automation alone, the Comelec is spending R650,081,672.46. The Comelec awarded to Smartmatic-Sahi Technology, Inc., a R525,091,672.46 contract for the automation of the ARMM elections in Maguindanao. The firm has started delivery of 2,300 computer machines using Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) technology for the 822 clustered precincts in Maguindanao.

To Avante International Technology, the Comelec has awarded a R125-million contract for the automation of elections in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Shariff Kabunsuan.

Under a recent Supreme Court decision, the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan has been nullified. Unless the decision is reconsidered, Shariff Kabunsuan will become part of Maguindanao. If this happens, Maguindanao will have a total voting strength of 470,438 and 1,612 clustered precincts.

Comelec is still in a quandary as to whether to consider Shariff Kabunsuan a part of Maguindanao for purposes of the automated election in the ARMM.

The other expenses are in the publication and printing of information materials about the elections which have also run into millions of pesos. An massive information drive on the use of automated election machines has also been going all the ARMM provinces in coordination with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other civil groups in Mindanao.

The Comelec said in case the ARMM elections are postponed, the country will miss the opportunity to have a first major political exercise which will be fully automated.

Prominent election lawyers Francisco B. Sibayan, Jose P. Icaonapo Jr., and noted Muslim lawyer Blo Umpar Adiong said that between the reconvening of Congress on Monday, July 28, and the Aug. 11 ARMM polls, Congress has only 12 working days to enact a law postponing the ARMM elections.

"But it can still be done, especially so if President Arroyo will certify it as urgent," the lawyers said.

Villar seeks details of peace agreement in relation to polls

Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday said Malacanang should present the details of its peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before it pursues its proposal to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao scheduled this August 11.

"Malacanang should release details of the peace agreement so the people would know. We want to know if there really is a peace agreement," Villar said in an interview.

Villar is one of the senators who oppose the suspension of the ARMM elections along with Juan Ponce Enrile and Richard Gordon.

"You can’t postpone it just because of the peace process. They better tell us what the strategic development that they are saying. We are tinkering with our legal system too much," Enrile said.

Enrile also said he doubts if the resolution Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri will be filing to formally propose the postponement of the ARMM polls would prosper.

"For one, I will ask a lot of questions. We need to ask them to justify the postponement. I don’t think he’ll be able to pass that law," Enrile said.

Sen. Mar Roxas demanded that Malacanang become transparent and explain what the suspension of the ARMM polls has to do with the MILF peace talks.

"Without this, any discussion on the proposal to postpone the polls will only be a futile exchange of vague statements," Roxas said.

"Meanwhile, we must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of voters, teachers, and volunteers who have been targets of election-related violence in the recent past," he added.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon suggested that lawmakers listen to the different sectors before making a decision on the proposal.

"I would like to hear from the two factions of the MNLF—the Misuari breakaway group and the mainstream group of the MNLF in the persons of the Council of 15. We have to listen to the MNLF because we have a standing agreement which is still in effect with the MNLF," Biazon said. (Hannah L. Torregoza)

Part of a scheme to amend Constitution, says UNO spokesman

The United Opposition (UNO) yesterday expressed doubts on the announcement from Malacañang calling for the suspension of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections next month.

UNO spokesman Atty. Adel Tamano said that while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo claims that the ARMM elections should be called off as part of the peace process negotiations with the MILF, the plan is actually "the first step in a grand scheme to amend the Constitution."

"Unfortunately, even for the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), GMA has not been negotiating with the Moros in good faith because the proposed creation of a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity will ultimately entail an amendment of the Philippine Constitution, which will be the means to allow GMA to stay in power." Tamano said.

"As a Filipino Muslim, I am personally and deeply offended by the use of the peace process as a tool and a cover for maintaining this administration’s hold on power. Filipinos, both Muslim and Christian, will see through this and will oppose this underhanded scheme to amend the constitution."

. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the decision was reached by various sectors in the ARMM after a consultative meeting with the President.

Dureza said that a bill will be filed by Rep. Pax Magundato of the First District of Sultan Kudarat Province with Sulu Rep. Yusoph Jikiri and TawiTawi Rep. Nur Jaafar as co-authors. Sen. Miguel Zubiri will file the counterpart bill in the Senate.

Dureza said the postponement of the ARMM elections is necessary to "give the opportunity to peace efforts that are being undertaken by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that struck a breakthrough last week on the contentious issue of ancestral domain." (Leonard D. Postrado)

Cancellation will be a drawback for poll automation - -PPCRV

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said yesterday it is convinced that the postponement or cancellation of the ARMM polls will be a drawback tor automated elections.

"It will be a step backwards for democracy," former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV national chairperson, said.

The newly appointed chairman of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) added that since the postponement of the ARMM polls will need an act of Congress, it’s still all systems go for Namfrel volunteers.Catholic Bishops Edwin de la Pena of Marawi and Martin Jumoad in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are divided on whether or not to postpone the Aug. 11 elections in the South.

Bishop De la Peña said he is in favor of the proposed deferment of the ARMM polls in view of the ongoing peace talks between the Moro International Liberation Front (MILF) and the government.

"I’m in favor of the postponement. Let’s just wait for the real point or objective of this peace process because the reforms being sought by the MILF for Muslim Mindanao are extensive," he said yesterday over Catholic-run Radio Veritas 846.

"It’s the candidates who want to push through with the elections because they are already prepared, and also the government, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and other agencies involved in the conduct of the elections," he said.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad opposes postponing the elections in ARMM, convinced that they will not affect the peace talks.

"The polls are already set for Aug. 11, and must push through.. Otherwise, we will just keep on postponing the elections," he said.

"The peace talks will never be disturbed by the election because the polls are provided for in the Constitution."

He appealed to President Gloria Arroyo not to postpone the polls in ARMM for the sake of the people in Basilan.

"I will tell her not to postpone the elections. Otherwise, kidnappings and other forms of evil in terms of violation of human rights will continue. It is only when elections are held that I believe the ongoing problem in Basilan will be lessened," Jumoad said. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)