Bacolod City – Should a temporary restraining order be issued by the Supreme Court, it will delay the implementation of the Negros Island Region, Negros Occidental 5th district Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo III disclosed recently.
Yulo, however, did not venture into the motive behind the petition, but noted that there are no oppositors from the side of Negros Occidental.
While the filing of a petition is allowed under the law, Yulo said, that as far as the issue of lack of consultation, “I do not think it will fly,” stressing that they always conducted everything in accordance, and provided for by law.
On whether it will need a plebiscite, the solon said he did not find any reasons, or particular provisions in the Constitutions, that provides for a plebiscite. In the creation of a local government unit, specifically, province, city, municipality, and a barangay, there is such a requirement for a plebiscite, but not in the creation of an administrative region.
But Yulo reiterated that he respects their rights to file a petition before the Supreme Court.
Petitioners Rev. Fr. Hendrix Alar, Lina Eparwa, Wilfredo Magallano, Marcelino Maxino, Jose Imaculado Palmitos, and Grace Sumalpong filed for a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, claiming that the creation of the NIR was illegal, as it was neither submitted to the people through a plebiscite, nor was a public consultation held.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria said they are leaving it to the Supreme Court to decide, regarding the petition to nullify the Negros Island Region Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in previous months.
As to the budget of the new region, Yulo said there are certain provisions in the Internal Rules and Regulations of NIR which calls for the temporary budget to be carved out from Regions 6 and 7.
“We have submitted the 2025 National Expenditure Program, before the signing of the law (NIR). So, necessarily, it was not included as part of the NEP, in which case, it would necessitate uslay in carving out that particular amount of money, or budget from Regions 6 and 7,” he said.
Yulo said that the Office of the Solicitor General will answer the petition. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)