The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is prepared to hold the different plebiscites and the Dec. 5, 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls this year.
"The Comelec is prepared in the event that a national or local elections is held close to these plebiscites," Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in an interview Monday, August 8.
He also explained that holding any electoral exercise is not dependent on any other poll exercise.
"Holding an elections followed by plebiscites really happen," said Garcia.
The poll chief said they cannot delay plebiscites because it is provided in the law when it should be held.
Besides, Garcia said, the people in places where there will be a plebiscite are eagerly waiting it.
Last August 2, the poll body said it has already started printing the official ballots for the plebiscite in Maguindanao and the three other plebiscites scheduled this year.
The plebiscite to ratify the division of the Province of Maguindanao into two provinces, namely: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur is set on Sept. 17.
The three other plebiscites are the following:
•August 20, 2022 plebiscite to ratify the creation of Barangay New Canaan out of Barangay Pag-asa in the Municipality of Alabel, Sarangani.
•Sept. 3, 2022 plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the Municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas into a component city to be known as the city of Calaca.
•Oct. 8, 2022 plebiscite to ratify the merger of 28 barangays into three barangays, and remaining one barangay, all in Ormoc City.
No date yet has been set for the plebiscite conversion of the Municipality of Baliwag into a Component City of the Province of Bulacan.