The government says it is disappointed at a decision of the supreme court on Tuesday to temporarily halt the appointment of caretakers for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The administration has been screening hundreds of candidates for the 26 vacant officer-in-charge positions, including the region’s governor and vice governor, which are expected to be filled by September 30.

Oblates priest Father Eliseo Mercado, who had served on government and other bodies working on problems in Mindanao, southern Philippines, said if no resolution is issued until the end of the month, “the incumbents in the ARMM will continue in office on a holdover capacity until their successors have been elected and duly qualified.”

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a Church-based poll watchdog, raised concern over the short period to prepare for elections.

She said her group has been against the postponement of the ARMM polls from the beginning because it infringes on ARMM autonomy.