Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has lifted the gun ban across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the Supreme Court's decision postponing the BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE) to next year.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec issued Minute Resolution No. 25-1055 on October 3, which ordered the lifting of election-related prohibitions in line with the High Tribunal's ruling. The resolution stated, "Lift all election prohibitions, inclusive of the lifting of the prohibitions on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in the entire BARMM region including the City of Isabela in Basilan."

The poll body also announced plans to modify the schedule of activities related to the BPE, ensuring that the elections will be conducted by March 31, 2026. This follows the Supreme Court's directive requiring compliance by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Furthermore, Comelec declared as moot and academic all previous submissions by candidates, regional parliamentary political parties, sectoral organizations, citizens' arms, and other stakeholders. This decision resulted from the High Court's ruling on consolidated cases G.R. Nos. E-02219 and E-02235, which deemed Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) Nos. 58 and 77 unconstitutional.

BAA 77 had reorganized parliamentary districts within the BARMM to reallocate seats originally designated for Sulu. Meanwhile, BAA 88, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, includes Sulu in its parliamentary districts.

Comelec also announced it is awaiting compliance by the BTA with the Supreme Court's directive on determining parliamentary districts, with the deadline set for October 30. The ruling led to a halt in preparations for the BPE, which was initially scheduled for October 13.

The Supreme Court en banc had voted 11-3 with one abstention on September 30 to hold the BPE not later than March 31, 2026.