MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized the deputation of law enforcement agencies and other government instrumentalities to help ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.
Under Memorandum Order (MO) No. 48, Marcos concurred with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) deputation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other concerned government agencies for the elections.
The memorandum order was signed on July 1 but was uploaded to the Official Gazette only on Thursday.
Under Article IX-C, Section 2(4) of the 1987 Constitution, the Comelec, with the concurrence of the President, may deputize law enforcement agencies to help ensure free, orderly, and peaceful elections.
READ: PNP deploys over 3,000 cops for BARMM polls as gun ban takes effect
Marcos directed the concerned agencies to coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in carrying out their duties, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
The Comelec requested the president’s concurrence to help ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
The first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are scheduled for Sept. 14. A gun ban and checkpoints took effect as the election period began on Thursday and will remain in place until Sept. 29.
READ: Gun ban up for election period in Bangsamoro
Up for election are the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, composed of 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives, and eight sectoral representatives, who will replace the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
The elected members of Parliament will take their oath on Oct. 30 and will serve until June 30, 2031.
Under Article IX-C, Section 2(4) of the 1987 Constitution, the Comelec, with the concurrence of the President, may deputize law enforcement agencies to help ensure free, orderly, and peaceful elections. /mcm
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