The postponement of the May 2022 national and local polls is up to the Senate and House of Representatives, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sheriff Abas said Monday.
Abas said such proposal will have to come from the House of Representatives as well as Senate.
"If you will look at the Constitution there is a provision there saying that elections is on the second Monday of May. So, the date is definite although a law can be made on the extension, but again that is not the call of the Comelec," he said during the "Laging Handa" press briefing.
Asked if they are ruling out the postponement, Abas replied: "It would be difficult to rule it out because if you look at the Constitution it has a provision of 'unless otherwise provided for by law."
"So extension is possible but there should be a law for the extension," he said.
The poll chief was referring to Article 7, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution which states that, "Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice President shall be held on the second Monday of May."
Abas said there is also a provision in the Constitution saying that the term of incumbent officials ends on June 30.
"In order to be able to amend the Constitutional provision, it has to be approved by two-thirds of our congressmen and will need also for a plebiscite to be held," he said.
In a separate interview, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez explained what Abas meant by "extension."
"Postponement is rescheduling of elections, not cancellation. So, i think, the chair is saying rescheduling is possible because it is in the law," he said.
"The chairman is saying it would be hard to absolutely say that there will be no rescheduling because if Congress decides otherwise, we have to follow. It is not our call," added Jimenez.
Abas stressed that the postponement of the 2022 elections is not in their plans.
Last week, a lawmaker proposed to the poll body to consider the possibility of postponing the May 2022 national and local elections amid the threat of COVID-19.