Marcos respects TRO vs Bangsamoro Act, but concerned over delayed polls
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores)
While President Marcos respects the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) over the implementation of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act, he was also concerned over the delay it caused to the region's election.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 17, that the government will comply to the TRO.
"Kung iyan po ang desisyon ng Supreme Court, iyan naman po ay igagalang. Kung ano po ang inuutos ng Supreme Court, magku-comply naman po ang pamahalaan (If that is the decision of the Supreme Court, then it will be respected. Whatever the Supreme Court orders, the government will comply)," Castro said.
However, when asked if Marcos was concerned over the impact of the SC's decision to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections, the Palace official said the President is actually concerned about it.
"Kung pangamba po, opo, mayroon pero susundin pa rin po ng administrasyon kung ano po ang sinasabi ng Supreme Court (As for concerns, yes, there are. But the administration will still follow whatever the Supreme Court says)," she stressed.
The SC has issued the TRO enjoining the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and all persons acting under their authority from implementing Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, pending the final resolution of two cases.
The BTA was created under Republic Act No. (RA) 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to serve as the interim government of the BARMM during its transition period.
In February this year, Marcos signed RA No. 12123, resetting the first regular elections in the BARMM to Oct. 13, 2025.