Muslims stage prayer rally at SC to support ARMM postponement ruling

A group of Muslims on Friday staged a prayer rally outside the Supreme Court in Manila in support of the high court's ruling upholding the legality of the law postponing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) polls. The Bangsamoro National Solidarity Movement (BANGSA) said the ruling declaring as constitutional Republic Act 10153 will buy the government 20 months worth of time to institute the much-needed reforms in the ARMM. "This ruling will herald a new beginning of change and reform... This gives us a window of opportunity to introduce electoral reform, strengthen good governance, establish sustainable peace and security, and improve socio-economic conditions in ARMM," said BANGSA secretary general Jolly Lais. The group, some 50 members of which sat on the pavement while in prayer, called on the high court to "reaffirm its ruling expeditiously" and "decide for immediate execution." The SC ruling released last Tuesday is still not yet considered final as parties to the case are still given 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration. "The 20-month period of reform is not short for a true reformer. And this limited short time should not be wasted," Lais added. Apart from postponing this year's ARMM polls and synchronizing them with the 2013 national elections, RA 10153 also authorizes President Benigno Aquino III to appoint 26 officers in charge in the region, including a governor, a vice governor, and 24 members of the regional legislative assembly. — LBG, GMA News