At A Glance
- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to suspend its preparations for the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) scheduled for October 13, 2025.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to suspend its preparations for the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) scheduled for October 13, 2025.
According to a resolution provided by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, this is until the Supreme Court lifts the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) or resolves the validity of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77.
BAA 77 reorganized the parliamentary districts within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to reallocate the seven seats initially assigned to the province of Sulu.
The SC had long ruled that the inclusion of the Province of Sulu in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is declared void for being unconstitutional. This decision necessitated the reapportionment of the seven district seats originally designated for Sulu.
The SC issued a TRO that halted the implementation of BAA 77.
"Huwag po raw kaming kikilos whatsoever sa pagpapatupad nito hanggat walang directive mula sa Korte Suprema o final resolution nung kasong nadala sa kanila (They told us not to take any action whatsoever in implementing this until there is a directive from the Supreme Court or a final resolution of the case that was brought before them)," Garcia said.
Meanwhile, the resolution also directs the Law Department "to coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General for the filing of the Commission's Extremely Urgent Manifestation in Compliance to the Temporary Restraining Order issued on 15 September 2025."
Garcia said that through this manifestation, the SC may clarify to Comelec what its next move should be.