Supreme Court TRO puts Sulu’s BARMM representation on hold pending final ruling. Image Source: Original composite

The TRO follows multiple petitions arguing that the new law, known as the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Act of 2025 or Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, violates national laws and constitutional safeguards ahead of the October 2025 BARMM elections.

Under BAA 77, the seven parliamentary districts originally allocated to Sulu would be reassigned to other areas within BARMM. The redistribution would have increased the number of seats in Lanao del Sur to nine, allocated five each to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, four each to Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, three to Cotabato City, and two to the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato.

The bill also contains a transitional clause that would allow Congress to reassign at least seven districts back to Sulu based on population and legal considerations if the province eventually rejoins the autonomous region.

The redistribution would have increased the number of seats in Lanao del Sur to 9, allocated 5 each to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, 4 each to Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, 3 to Cotabato City, and 2 to the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato.

However, several petitioners challenged the legality and timing of the law, prompting the high court to intervene. One of the key arguments is that the redistribution could result in the alteration of polling precincts and district boundaries during an active election period, thereby breaching provisions of the Voter’s Registration Act. The law mandates that electoral processes remain stable to ensure a free and fair election, something petitioners believe is threatened by the implementation of BAA 77.

The redistribution could result in the alteration of polling precincts and district boundaries during an active election period, thereby breaching provisions of the Voter’s Registration Act.

The redrawing of district lines and reallocation of seats could specifically disrupt election preparations such as the printing of ballots, configuration of precincts, and candidate registrations.

The BARMM parliament is responsible for laws within the autonomous region, but are still subject to the Supreme Court. The parliament’s seats are also divided between district and proportional party representatives. Prior to its exit from the BARMM, Sulu had been apportioned seven seats. Image Source: IanMaps

The Court is recognizing the urgency of the matter giving the upcoming elections, and has directed the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and other relevant government bodies to submit their comments and responses to the issues raised within a non-extendable five day period. This indicates that the matter may yet be subject to further proceedings in the weeks ahead.

With the TRO in place, the redistribution is effectively on hold until the Supreme Court delivers a final judgment on the consolidated petitions.

The legal battle over BAA 77 underscores the delicate balance between regional autonomy and national legal frameworks and is but the latest in a series of challenges in the aftermath of Sulu’s exit from the BARMM. Efforts to preserve the provision of state services and the transfer of Sulu’s administration and representation to Region IX are ongoing.

Ahead of the election, the Philippine National Police also report continued efforts to strengthen security and ensure that the autonomous region’s first elections are carried out safely. Concerns over election disorder and violence remain in areas of the southern Philippines with a history of militant activity. In that regard, the success of the elections is the next crucial step for the BARMM in improving representation and securing permanent peace in Mindanao.

REFERENCES

Caliwan, C. L. (2025, September 18). PNP heightens security for BARMM polls amid halt of Sulu redistricting. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/

Galvez, D. (2025, September 17). SC stops redistribution of Sulu parliamentary seats. Philstar. https://www.philstar.com/

SC halts Bangsamoro Act redistricting Sulu province. (2025, September 16). Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/

Bangsamoro Parliament OKs redistricting of parliamentary districts. (2025, August 19). Bangsamoro Parliament. https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/