Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) en banc has issued a directive to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) no later than March 31, 2026. The decision came with an 11-3 vote, accompanied by one abstention.

According to Philippines News Agency, the SC decision, dated September 30, declared unconstitutional Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 58 and BAA No. 77, which were enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to create and reconstitute parliamentary districts in the region. The court has also mandated the BTA to propose replacements for these laws by the end of the month.

As per the SC's directive, the BTA must finalize the determination of parliamentary districts for the initial regular election of Parliament members by October 30, 2025, in compliance with the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The Comelec is then tasked with preparing and conducting the elections by the March 2026 deadline, adhering strictly to the criteria outlined in the decision.

Camille Ting, SC spokesperson, stated that the decision is immediately executory. The SC identified BAA 77, also known as the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, as unconstitutional due to its violation of Section 5 of the Voter's Registration Act, which prohibits precinct alterations once the election period begins.

Passed on August 19, 2025, after the election period commenced on August 14, BAA 77 aimed to reorganize parliamentary districts within BARMM, reallocating seats initially designated for Sulu. However, the act was declared void as it failed to meet the Bangsamoro Organic Law's requirements for districts to comprise adjoining areas. Some local government units, such as those in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Cotabato City, were misallocated to non-contiguous districts.

The SC further ruled that the nullification of BAA 77 does not restore the previous law, BAA 58, which still included Sulu in its parliamentary districts. The court emphasized the necessity for a new districting law consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law and national laws, stating that without such a law, parliamentary elections cannot occur on October 13, 2025.