Jamaine Punzalan

Residents in Sultan Kudarat look for their names from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of voters for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite at the Simuay Junction Crossing Elementary School, January 21, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

Agatha Gregorio

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175930961683720190121-cotabato-plebiscite-JC-7316.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Residents in Sultan Kudarat look for their names from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of voters for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite at the Simuay Junction Crossing Elementary School, January 21, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) — The Supreme Court postponed the parliamentary elections in the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao scheduled on October 13, 2025.</p><p>In the decision of the en banc dated September 30, 2025, the high court declared as unconstitutional Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77 and 58, which created and reconstituted parliamentary districts in the region. </p><p>The court granted the consolidated petitions of Lanang T. Ali, Jr. and Abdullah Macapaar against BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, the Bangsarmoro Transition Authority, and the Commission on Elections.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/comelec-says-october-13-barmm-polls-legally-factually-impossible-1611">READ: Comelec says holding BARMM polls on Oct. 13 &#x27;legally, factually impossible&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;From the finality of this decision, respondent Bangsamoro Transition Authority shall immediately undertake, by October 30 2025 at the latest, the accomplishment of the determination of parliamentary districts for the first regular elections for the members of the parliament, in strict compliance with the priorities and requirements provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law,&quot; said SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting.</p><p>The Supreme Court said its decision was immediately executory and deemed served upon posting and receipt through electronic means. </p><p>&quot;Thereafter and in compliance with Section 5 of the Voters Registration Act, respondent Comelec is directed to promptly proceed with its preparations and conduct elections not later than March 31, 2026,&quot; Ting said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE RESPECTS SC DECISION</strong></div><p>The Office of the President said it respects the Supreme Court&#x27;s decision to postpone the BARMM parliamentary elections.</p><p>In a statement, the Palace said the Office of the President recognizes the ruling as a &quot;pivotal step&quot; in ensuring that the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections will be conducted on the &quot;firmest constitutional and legal foundations&quot;.</p><p>&quot;The Palace underscores its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the peace process, strengthening democratic institutions, and protecting the political rights of all citizens in the Bangsamoro,&quot; it said in a statement Wednesday, October 1.</p><p>&quot;The administration will extend its full support to all constitutionally mandated institutions in order to ensure that the democratic aspirations of the Bangsamoro people are realized within the framework of the Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,&quot; it added.</p><p>&quot;This is part of the continuing national effort to achieve just and lasting peace in Mindanao, anchored on meaningful autonomy, the rule of law, and the exercise of suffrage,&quot; the Palace concluded. </p><p>The SC in its decision also directed the Commission on Elections to &quot;promptly proceed&quot; with its preparations and the conduct of elections not later than March 31, 2026.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>JUDICIAL OVERREACH?</strong></div><p>Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, meanwhile, said that although he respects the decision of the Supreme Court, he does not agree with it.</p><p>According to Adiong, he is one with the people of BARMM in wanting them to experience their constitutionally guaranteed rights.</p><p>&quot;Marami na pong partido diyan– regional parties– na they have already filled up their candidates, and they have already started to mobilize their groups, you know, getting ready for the election. It&#x27;s just so unfortunate. But again, we respect the decision of the highest court,&quot; Adiong told reporters on Wednesday, October 1.</p><p>The Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77 and 58 reconstituting parliamentary districts was declared unconstitutional in the SC decision.</p><p>In the decision, the Supreme Court also directed the Commission on Elections to conduct the polls not later than March 31, 2026.</p><p>Adiong raised concerns over potential &quot;judicial overreach.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Nakita ko sa portion doon sa Supreme Court nag-determine sila or nag-set sila ng date for the election in the BARMM, which to me, if you ask me, with all due respect to the highest court, it&#x27;s judicial overreach it already is legislated. It&#x27;s only the legislature– the House of Representatives and the Senate can determine the date to reset the election. So in the case of the decision of the Supreme Court declaring the BTA parliament 77 as unconstitutional and therefore the effect of that is to reschedule the election and setting the election on March to me is already an act of legislating,&quot; Adiong said.</p><p>Back in February, the Senate passed on third and final reading a bill to reschedule the BARMM elections to October 13.</p><p>There is no time for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or a motion for reconsideration (MR) to contest the postponement, Adiong added.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;re talking of how many days? ‘Di ba? [...] October 13 na next week. There won&#x27;t be any time for anybody, again, to file for a TRO or MR, for example, motion for reconsideration… I&#x27;m just one citizen raising this question,&quot; Adiong said.</p><div></div>

<p>The Supreme Court postponed the parliamentary elections in the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao scheduled on October 13, 2025.</p>

The Supreme Court postponed the parliamentary elections in the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao scheduled on October 13, 2025.

Supreme Court postpones Oct. 13 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections

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Supreme Court postpones Oct. 13 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections

Adrian Ayalin,

Agatha Gregorio,

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 01, 2025 05:08 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 01, 2025 09:43 PM PHT

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