Resolution No. 9338

WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 9271 dated August 12, 2011, the Commission on Elections promulgated the rules and regulations for the conduct of the system of continuing registration of voters and validation of registration records in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to start from October 1, 2011 and will end on October 31, 2012.

WHEREAS, due to the pendency of the case questioning the legality of Republic Act No. 10153 on the synchronization of the ARMM elections with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, and in anticipation of the conduct of the ARMM elections at a later date, the Commission ordered the deferment of the implementation of Resolution No. 9271 pursuant to Resolution No. 9288 promulgated September 29, 2011.

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has ruled on the legality of the synchronization of the ARMM elections with that of the May 13, 2013 elections, thus upholding the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 10153, and an Officer-in-Charge has already been designated thereto.

WHEREAS, in the non-ARMM areas, the system of continuing registration of voters and validation of registration records had started last May 3, 2011 and will end by October 31, 2012.

WHEREAS, to give the Commission sufficient time for the conduct of pre-election activities and other preparations in connection with the May 13, 2013 elections, it is now imperative to implement Resolution No. 9271.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code and other related election laws, has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to implement Resolution No. 9271 promulgated August 12, 2011, entitled Rules and Regulations for the Resumption of the System of Continuing Registration of Voters and Validation of Registration Records in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with modification as to the starting date of the registration/validation which will commence on March 5, 2012 and will end on October 31, 2012, simultaneous with the end of registration in non-ARMM areas, in order to enlist the new voters that will qualify for the May 13, 2013 elections.

Resolution No. 9288 promulgated September 29, 2011 on the deferment of Resolution No. 9271 is hereby set aside.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately after publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. The Education and Information Department (EID) is hereby directed to cause the publication and widest dissemination of this Resolution.

Let the Office of the Executive Director implement this Resolution.

SO ORDERED.