The Supreme Court (SC) postponed the Oct. 13, 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and reset the polls to not later than March 31, 2026.

The resetting of the elections was a result of the SC’s full court decision last Tuesday, Sept. 30, that declared unconstitutional the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77 and the previous BAA No. 58.

BAA 77 reorganized the parliamentary districts within BARMM to reallocate the seven seats initially assigned to the province of Sulu.

The previous law, BAA 58, created the parliamentary districts within BARMM.

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) was created under Republic Act No. 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to serve as the interim government of the BARMM.

Under RA 12123, the first parliamentary election in the BARMM was set on Oct. 13, 2025. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the election period starting Aug. 14, 2025.

However, five days after the start of the election period, the BTA passed BAA 77, the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, which reorganized the BARMM’s parliamentary districts and reallocated the seven seats initially assigned to Sulu.

In 2024, the SC had ruled that Sulu is not part of BARMM and the decision had long become final and executory.

In a press briefer, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said the High Court declared BAA 77 unconstitutional for violation of Section 5 of the Voter’s Registration Act, which prohibits any alteration of precincts once the election period has started.

The SC said that BAA 77 is also void for violating the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s requirement that each district should comprise adjacent and adjoining areas as far as practicable.

It pointed out that some local government units in Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Cotabato City were assigned to different districts that were neither contiguous nor adjacent.

The SC ruled that the nullification of BAA 77 does not revive the earlier law, BAA 58 or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, which still includes Sulu in its parliamentary districts.

It pointed out that since BAA 58 is based on an outdated framework following the removal of Sulu from BARMM, it cannot be reinstated.

Rather, it said that a new and valid districting law must be passed consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, national laws, and the Constitution.

“There can be no BARMM parliamentary elections on Oct. 13, 2025, because of the lack of a valid districting law,” the SC stressed.

It also said that it took into consideration practical concerns raised by the Comelec in holding the elections on Oct.13, 2025.

The SC decision acted on two petitions filed separately by Lanang T. Ali, Jr., Samsodin C. Amella, and Datuan M. Magon Jr. in one case and Abdullah G. Macapaar, also known as "Commander Bravo," Mangontawar M. Macacuna, Sultan Alim Saad I. Amate, Najer D. Eppie, Nasif G. Marangit, and Maulana L. Mamutuk in the other case.

Named respondents in the two petitions were the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament; Abdulraof A. Macacua, in his capacity as the Interim Chief Minister of the BARMM; and the Comelec.

The dispositive portion of the SC decision:

“The Petitions in G.R. Nos. E-02219 and E-02235 are granted. Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77 is declared unconstitutional, and the injunction against its enforcement is made permanent.

“Respondents Bangsamoro Transition Authority and the Commission on Elections are enjoined from conducting any activity relating to the enforcement of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77.

“In consideration of the circumstances of these Petitions, We likewise declare Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 58 unconstitutional.

“The Manifestation (With leave of Court) and Manifestation and Urgent Motion for Reiteration of Reliefs both filed on Sept. 29, 2025 by the Commission on Elections and petitioners in G.R. No. E-02235, respectively, are noted.

“From the finality of this Decision, respondent Bangsamoro Transition Authority shall immediately undertake, by Oct. 30, 2025 at the latest, the accomplishment of the determination of parliamentary districts for the first regular election for the members of the Parliament in strict compliance with the priorities and requirements provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, as well as the criteria laid down in this Decision.

“Thereafter, and in compliance with Section 5 of the Voter's Registration Act, respondent Commission on Elections is directed to promptly proceed with its preparations and conduct elections not later than March 31, 2026.

“The Decision shall be immediately executory and shall be deemed served upon the parties upon its posting and their receipt through electronic means. So ordered.”