The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled that the 10 former barangays of Makati City will be part of Taguig City for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Taguig City government welcomed the Comelec decision to consider the 10 previously Makati-controlled barangays to be part of Taguig for purposes of the BSKE.
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition of the Philippines (TDC) called for a smooth transition to end the Makati-Taguig dispute concerning 30,000 public school learners.
In a memorandum dated Aug. 19 signed by director Consuelo Diola, the Comelec said it approved the recommendation of its law department to consider the villages involved in the land row to be “part of Taguig City for the purposes” of the upcoming elections.
“The barangays situated in Parcel 3 and 4, PSU-2031, can now be considered part of Taguig City for purposes of the 2023 BSKE,” the Comelec said in the memorandum.
Parcel 3 and 4 consisted of the 10 enlisted men’s barrio (EMBO) barangays.
Earlier, Comelec chairman George Garcia said voters in the affected barangays need not re-register for the upcoming elections.
He said voters from the barangays formerly declared as part of Makati will be automatically transferred to Taguig.
The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2023 BSKE will run from August 28 to September 2, while the campaign period is from October 19 to October 28 only.
Meanwhile, the Comelec also approved the law department’s recommendation for the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD) to provide the Information Technology Department (ITD) with an updated coding system for the barangays.
The poll body also directed the ERSD to reallocate BSKE forms and supplies.
“The Commission’s move to fully implement the Supreme Court’s final and executory decision in the territorial dispute is highly commendable and stands as a testament to its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring peaceful and orderly elections,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano.
Cayetano urged city officials in Makati to “demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and respect for the decision.”
“Let us work together for the community in assuring a seamless transition for our barangay and SK officials. Embracing this outcome with unity, open communication, honesty, and truthfulness will undoubtedly contribute to the betterment of all residents involved,” Cayetano said.
The mayor gave assurance they are committed to working diligently and in good faith with all the departments and agencies of government, the local government of Makati, the community leaders, and the residents of the affected areas for the welfare of the people.
“We again ask all government agencies to help ease the tension among our people by complying without delay with the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision. Our residents in the EMBO barangays need and deserve that help.”
TDC chairman Benjo Basas urged both parties to respect the High Court decision, stating that the welfare of students should be given paramount importance.
The Department of Education (DepEd) scheduled the opening of classes in all public and private elementary and high schools across the country for August 29, and the so-called EMBO schools will open as scheduled.
Basas said most teachers were affected by the issues, particularly when documents were needed for transactions like certifications, assignment orders, permits, or loan applications.
The TDC said 14 public schools involving 1,500 teachers and 30,000 learners were affected by the transition.
The group hopes that the central office’s assumption of authority over the affected schools will ease tension and open the door for more friendly talks between the two local government units.
With just a week until the opening of classes, schools will need to make preparations, and teachers and other school personnel should be allowed to work as usual.
“We hope the two parties could have reached an agreement to restore normal school operation,” said Noel Meneses, a TDC member and president of the Fort Bonifacio High School Faculty Club.