BTA has until Nov. 30, 2025 to pass redistricting bill —Comelec

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) may still pass the proposed bill redistricting the seven seats previously assigned to Sulu until the end of November, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the proposed bill is now on second reading with the BTA. Following the second reading, the independent government will consolidate two more proposed bills for the redistricting of the parliamentary seats.

“Pag pinag-aralan ang naging decision ng Korte Suprema, bagamat may nakalagay na Ocober 30 mayroong validity na hindi dapat lalagpas sa 120 days bago ang elections,” said Garcia.

(If we study the SC decision, they may still pass the bill 120 days before the elections.)

“Kung ang elections ay March 31, November 30 ang pinaka-deadline ng Bangsamoro. Maaaring lumagpas sa October 30 pero di pa naman lumalagpas sa pangalawang period na nilagay ng SC sa kaniyang decision,” he added.

(If the elections are on March 31, then they have until November 30.)

Last month, the SC ordered the postponement of the Bangsamoro elections originally scheduled on October 13 after it declared two districting laws—Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAAs) 58 and 77—by the autonomous government as unconstitutional.

The BAA 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Act of 2025, amended BAA 58 and redistricted the vacant seats in light of an SC decision excluding Sulu from the autonomous region.

The SC also asked the BTA to pass a redistricting bill and directed the Comelec to continue its preparations and conduct the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections no later than March 31, 2026.

“Naniniwala tayo sa kakayanan ng Bangsamoro Parliament. Ang Comelec naman laging nagpapaalala din na sana mainform tayo... Naniniwala tayo na dahil sa pressure, SC decision, ay aware naman ang parliament na time is of the essence. At kapag sumablay tayo sa timeline, maaring hindi mapaghandaan ng sapat ang gagawing halalan sa Marso,” Garcia added.

(We believe the BTA can comply. We just want to stay informed but w know that due to the pressure and SC decision, they are aware that time is of the essence. If we miss the deadline, there may be no polls in March.)

Meanwhile, the poll chief admitted the preparations for the BARMM polls would be affected should the bill be passed beyond the November 30 deadline. He also expressed openness to conduct the BARMM polls as manual elections if such incident occur.

“Basta may batas, gagawan ng paraan ng Comelec. Even to the extent na kung kailangan mag manual na halalan, bakit hindi... Pero at this point, the election in the Bangsamoro will be automated at this point. Yun (manual) worse case scenario lang,” he added

(As long as there is a law, we will comply. Even to the extent of holding manual polls.) — BM, GMA Integrated News