AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE ELECTIONS IN THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM) WITH THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the intent and mandate of the Constitution and Republic Act No. 7166, entitled: "An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes", it is hereby declared the policy of the State to synchronize national and local elections. Pursuant thereto, the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is hereby synchronized with the national and local elections as hereinafter provided.
Section 2. Regular Elections. - The regular elections for the Regional Governor, Regional Vice Governor and Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) shall be held on the second (2nd) Monday of May 2013. Succeeding regular elections shall be held on the same date every three (3) years thereafter.
Section 3. Appointment of Officers-in-Charge. – The President shall appoint officers-in-charge for the Office of the Regional Governor, Regional Vice Governor and Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly who shall perform the functions pertaining to the said offices until the officials duly elected in the May 2013 elections shall have qualified and assumed office.
Section 4. Manner and Procedure of Appointing Officers-in-Charge. - There shall be created a screening committee, whose members shall be appointed by the President, which shall screen and recommend, in consultation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President, the persons who will be appointed as Officers-in-Charge.
Section 5. Qualifications. - No person shall be appointed officer-in-charge unless he or she complies with the qualifications for Regional Governor, Regional Vice Governor or Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the ARMM, as provided in Republic Act No. 6734, entitled: "An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao", as amended by Republic Act No. 9054, entitled: "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region if, Muslim Mindanao, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No: 6734".
Section 6. Study and Review of the Organic Act. – The appointed Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the ARMM shall conduct a study and review of Republic Act No. 9054 and submit recommendations to the Congress of the Philippines within six (6) months from their assumption into office.
Section 7. Separability Clause. - In the event any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
Section 8. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 9333 is hereby repealed. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon the completion of its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: JUN 30 2011
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