Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 21)
The memorandum order concerns the President's concurrence in the deputation of law enforcement agencies in connection with the March 9, 2024 plebiscite to ratify the creation of Barangays Sultan Corobong, Sultan Panoroganan, and Angayao in the City of Marawi, Lanao del Norte.
City Ordinance Nos. 18-11, 19-11, and 20-11 (s. 2023) of the City of Marawi approved the creation of the aforementioned barangays respectively.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) En Banc requested for presidential concurrence through Resolution No. 10973.
Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the 1987 Philippine Constitution empowers the COMELEC to deputize law enforcement agencies to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections, subject to the President’s concurrence.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government were deputized.
Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines.
Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all executive departments, bureaus, and offices.
The deputation aims to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections or plebiscites.
The deputized agencies are directed to coordinate and cooperate with the COMELEC in performing their duties and functions subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
The President’s concurrence legally authorizes the deputized agencies to perform their functions in connection with the plebiscite, ensuring their actions are recognized and supported by the executive branch.