MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 50, July 21, 2026

[ MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 50, July 21, 2026 ]

CONCURRENCE OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE DEPUTATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE 25 JULY 2026 PLEBISCITE TO RATIFY THE ALTERATION OF THE EXISTING TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES OF FIVE COASTAL BARANGAYS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF PARAÑAQUE

WHEREAS, Section 10, Article X of the Constitution and Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, provide that no creation, division, merger, abolition, or substantial alteration of the boundaries of local government units shall take effect unless approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected;

WHEREAS, on 13 July 2023, Sangguninang Panlungsod of the City of Parañaque enacted Ordinance No, 2023-19 (s. 2022) altering the existing territorial boundaries of five (5) coastal barangays, namely, Barangays Baclaran, Tambo, Don Galo, La Huerta, and San Dionisio, and providing for the conduct of a plebiscite to ratify the proposed alteration of the territorial boundaries of the said barangays;

WHEREAS, on 16 June 2026, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) En Banc, through Resolution No. 11233, resolved to request the President's concurrence in the deputation of law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), in connection with the conduct of the 25 July 2026 plebiscite to ratify Parañaque City Ordinance No. 2023-19 (s. 2022);

WHEREAS, Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the Constitution empowers the COMLEC to deputize, with the concurrence of the President. law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections;

WHEREAS, Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all Executive departments, bureaus, and offices;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, and as requested in COMELEC Resolution No. 11233, hereby CONCUR with the request to deputize the AFP, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government in connection with the conduct of the 25 July 2026 plebiscite to ratify the alteration of the existing territorial boundaries of five (5) coastal barangays within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Parañaque.

Consistent with their respective mandates, the foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the COMELEC in the performance of their duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Six.

(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(SGD.) RALPH G. RECTO Acting Executive Secretary