Attorney John Rex Laudiangco, spokesperson for the Commission on Elections, stated that only the ballots indicating "Makati" need to be reprinted to reflect the change to "Taguig" for the barangays formerly under Makati's jurisdiction.
"Transitioning won't be difficult because the entire barangays are being transferred. The voters and the candidates are all from the same barangays. The schools used for voting are located in the affected barangays. The only change we see needed is the ballots. It would only take us two or three days to finish printing the new ballots," said Laudiangco.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia has also written to the Supreme Court for clarity on whether the transfer of political jurisdiction of the Embo barangays to Taguig is final and executory. However, they have not yet received a response.
Meanwhile, the Taguig City Government stated in an announcement that a writ of execution is not necessary to transfer jurisdiction over the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation and the ten barangays, including Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Post Proper Northside, and Post Proper Southside.
"The nature and tenor of the permanent injunction against Makati do not require a writ of execution for the decision to be implemented," reads the official statement from Taguig. According to them, the preliminary injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court of Pasig, which stopped Makati from managing the Fort and the 10 Embo barangays, has been made permanent by the Supreme Court's decision.
The Taguig City Government further dismissed the statement from the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) saying that Taguig needs to secure a writ of execution for more effective jurisdiction transfer from Makati to Taguig. "Its authority does not extend to matters that involve administrative or judicial adjudications."
Taguig also warned that they would prosecute those who create disturbances or hinder the implementation of the Supreme Court's decision regarding the territorial dispute.
(Photo from the Philippine News Agency)
