MANILA, Philippines — Various Muslim sectors led by the Islamic Party of the Philippines (IPP) such as the ulama, professionals, and leaders from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) areas Tuesday appealed to the members of Congress to support the postponement of the August 8 election in ARMM.

IPP's stand is consistent with the proposal of President Aquino to synchronize the coming seventh regional election with the mid-term poll in 2013 and allow the Chief Executive to appoint interim officials.

An appeal made to Congress was signed by IPP leaders, ulama (Muslim clerics), professionals and other leaders of the various Muslim sectors.

Among the signatories are IPP Chairman Datu Zacaria A.Candao (former ARMM regional governor); Alioden P. Noor Jr., IPP-Lanao del Sur; Charles R. Avila, IPP consultant; Datu Kharis M. Baraguir, IPP-Maguindanao; and other 100 others.

IPP, they said, supports House Bill No. 4146, which is authored by Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema that seeks to defer the election and hold simultaneously with the 2013 election, and allow the President to appoint officers-in-charge (OICs).

They said postponing the ARMM election will boost the 13 years old peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"It will give a strong assurance to the MILF that they can look forward to a meaningful implementation of a Peace Agreement that may be reached by and between the GPH (government of the Philippines) and the MILF within the next two years," they said, adding having the ARMM political exercise as scheduled this year would be counter-productive and "close the door" to the MILF's participation.

This developed as civil society leaders and members urged the Congress to pass House Bill (HB) No. 4146 that will synchronize the regional elections of the ARMM with the May 2013 mid-term polls to reflect the voice of the majority of the citizens in the autonomous region.

The call was made by those who joined the consultation process recently conducted by the Committees on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and Muslim Affairs of the House of Representatives.

Hadji Quirino Oranto of Change Politics Movement insisted that a clear majority of the members of the two House committees approved and signed the final version of HB 4146 for referral to the plenary for debate and approval.

“Unfortunately, some Muslim congressmen have started to sabotage the passage of the bill because of partisan politics in the region,” Oranto said.

Mussolini Lidasan of I am for Peace and Development (IPaD) said, “We believe that postponing the elections will lead to a transformation in the ARMM: reforms in the electoral process, cleansing of massive corruption, reduced level of violence, and delivery of social services to the communities.”

Lidasan was one of the representatives of various Mindanawon groups who came here in Manila to express their concerns over the issue.Hadja Bainon Karon of the Federation of Bangsamoro Women and Maguindanao Network of Organizations said 65 of the 93 participants in the Joint Public hearings conducted by the two House committees on March 10, 11 and 13 voted in favor of synchronizing the ARMM elections this August with the May 2013 polls.