The Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended preparations for the elections of congressmen in the first and third legislative districts of South Cotabato, scheduled on Oct. 26.

“For South Cotabato, in view of the Supreme Court decision, the major preparations have been placed on hold,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview.

He added that they will no longer be filing a motion for reconsideration (MR) on the SC ruling.

Jimenez, however, noted that no resolution formally cancelling the South Cotabato elections has been promulgated.

“The Commission en Banc has not formally declared the cancellation of the elections in South Cotabato,” he said.

Earlier, the High Court granted the petition filed by Shirlyn Banas-Nograles after the Comelec suspended the polls through Resolution 10524.

Likewise, the SC directed the poll body to convene a special provincial board of canvassers (PBOC) to proclaim petitioner as the winning candidate in the first district of South Cotabato.

The Comelec had suspended the holding of congressional polls in the said district in May, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato by creating a separate legislative district for General Santos City. (PNA)