Ched Rick Gatchalian

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 

 

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Can Bangsamoro polls be held on March 30? Garcia says Comelec confronted with ‘strong legal, operational issues’

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291807235173812101015520190121-cotabato-plebiscite-JC-7283.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>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 </div><div style="text-align:left"> </div><div> </div>MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is confronted with “strong legal and operational issues” on holding the Bangsamoro region’s first-ever elections, even as it approved a measure reallocating Sulu’s parliamentary seats.The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament on Tuesday said it passed on third and final reading the districting law establishing the 32 parliamentary districts in the region with 48 votes in favor, 19 against, and four abstentions.“Lawmakers emphasized that a districting law is a key requirement for holding parliamentary elections and finalizing the legal framework for the first regular Parliament,” the BTA said in a social media post.“[Parliament Bill No. 415] addresses the Supreme Court’s concerns over earlier districting laws by ensuring that all districts are contiguous, compact, and aligned with population requirements under the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” it added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/22/comelec-suspends-coc-filing-for-2026-barmm-polls-2329">Comelec suspends COC filing for 2026 BARMM polls</a></div>The following provinces and areas will have the following seats under the measure:- Lanao del Sur — 9 seats - Maguindanao del Norte — 5 seats -Maguindanao del Sur — 5 seats -Basilan — 4 seats -Tawi-Tawi — 4 seats -Cotabato City — 3 seats -Special Geographic Area — 2 seatsBut Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters that while they welcome this development, they were still unsure whether the poll body could conduct the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections soon.“We are now confronted  with strong legal and operational issues as to whether the conduct of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election is still feasible by March 30,” Garcia said in a text message.  “Since there is no law yet fixing the date of the election, at this point, the same is still a question mark. We however commend the Bangsamoro Parliament for the giant step of finally passing this important piece of legislation,” he added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/1/supreme-court-postpones-oct-13-barmm-parliamentary-elections-1708">Supreme Court postpones Oct. 13 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections</a></div>The approved measure, he emphasized, still needs to be signed by the Bangsamoro chief minister and “to hurdle the effectivity clause.”  The Supreme Court decided in October last year to postpone the region&#x27;s parliamentary elections slated for October 13. The BTA, it said, must pass a law that will distribute the 7 vacant parliamentary seats originally apportioned to Sulu.According to the High Court, elections must be conducted in the region &quot;not later than March 31, 2026.&quot;But Garcia reiterated based on Republic Act No. 8189 or the Continuing Registration Law, no alterations would be allowed 120 days before the election date.“Since as mandated by the decision, we fixed the date of election on March 30, 2026, this will now run contrary to the prohibition mentioned and the provision of the law,” he said.Asked if this means that the Comelec was unsure on whether or not it could hold the elections by March 30, Garcia answered in the affirmative.“Mag-issue kami ng resolution [on whether we would] proceed or not to proceed,” he said.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is confronted with “strong legal and operational issues” on holding the Bangsamoro region’s first-ever elections, even as it approved a measure reallocating Sulu’s parliamentary seats.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is confronted with “strong legal and operational issues” on holding the Bangsamoro region’s first-ever elections, even as it approved a measure reallocating Sulu’s parliamentary seats.

Garcia: Comelec faces ‘strong legal, operational issues’ on Bangsamoro polls

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Garcia: Comelec faces ‘strong legal, operational issues’ on Bangsamoro polls

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 13, 2026 04:21 PM PHT

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