CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) advanced further toward holding its first regular parliamentary elections after its interim chief minister, Abdulraof Macacua, signed the regional law on Tuesday, January 20.

Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 86 restored the number of single-member parliamentary districts in BARMM to 32, up from 25, after a 2024 Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluded Sulu — and its seven seats
— from the Muslim-majority region.

In a statement, Macacua said: “The signing of the Act reflects the Bangsamoro’s commitment to moral governance, accountable leadership, and the peace process. Hindi lamang ito usapin ng batas, kundi ng pananagutan — upang matiyak na ang boses ng mamamayan ay malinaw na kinakatawan.” (This is not just a matter of law, but of responsibility — to ensure that the voice of the people will be heard clearly and they are clearly represented.)

The measure redefined parliamentary districts, adding seven more and distributing them across the region. It took into account population, geographic accessibility, and existing administrative boundaries, creating a legal framework for district representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

The regional law, approved during a marathon session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on January 13, came less than three months before the SC-mandated deadline for the region’s parliamentary elections. 

Observers noted that the short timeframe could pose challenges for the Commission on Elections, which is restricted from adjusting precincts in the final 120 days before voting.

The new BARMM law resolves a key legal hurdle after two previous districting measures were struck down by the SC in 2025. However, the timing makes it unlikely that elections could be held as scheduled, and Congress may need to intervene to set a new date.

The BARMM election watchdog Institute for Autonomy and Governance, and regional lawmakers involved in the measure, earlier said that while the district map now provides a clear structure for district representation, the March election may no longer be achievable, given the limited time for electoral preparations and administrative processes. – Rappler.com