Comelec assured the public that there are no hindrances to holding plebiscites and elections
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that there are no legal barriers to conducting a plebiscite on Charter change concurrently with the 2025 national and local elections. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia stated that this conclusion was based on a study conducted by the Comelec Law Department.
According to Garcia, the study found no provisions in the law that prohibit holding national and local elections simultaneously with a plebiscite. He referenced the Supreme Court ruling in Occena v. Comelec, which did not specifically prohibit such joint exercises.
Garcia noted that the Comelec had previously conducted a plebiscite alongside village and youth elections in October 2023, citing the Occena v. Comelec case, which was filed before the 1987 Constitution.
The Chairman emphasized that if the plan to hold both elections and the plebiscite together in 2025 proceeds, the Comelec would require a joint resolution from the Senate and the House of Representatives. He asserted that the Comelec is prepared and capable of managing both events simultaneously with minimal adjustments and costs to the government.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and lawmakers support the simultaneous conduct of the plebiscite and elections, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong expressed concerns about potential politicization of the Charter change question. Adiong emphasized the need to insulate discussions on amending the Constitution from political influences.
The House of Representatives began deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses 7 (RBH 7), which aims to amend economic provisions of the Constitution to attract foreign investments. The Senate initiated discussions on RBH 6, which covers similar amendments.
Both resolutions seek to add flexibility to certain constitutional provisions concerning economic matters.
News: Comelec assured the public that there are no hindrances to holding plebiscites and elections
