A new law redefining parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been passed, clearing a major legal hurdle to the region’s long-delayed first regular parliamentary elections after the Supreme Court (SC) struck down earlier districting measures.
Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua signed Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 86 on January 20, restoring the number of single-member parliamentary districts to 32 following the exclusion of Sulu and its seven seats from BARMM under a 2024 SC ruling.
“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,” he said.
Under the new law, the 32 districts are distributed as follows: nine in Lanao del Sur; five each in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur; four each in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi; three in Cotabato City; and two in the Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province.
The measure requires that each district be contiguous, compact, adjacent, and have a minimum population of 100,000, aligning the regional map with constitutional standards and the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The law follows two previous redistricting measures that were invalidated by the SC in 2025 for being unconstitutional, rulings that stalled election preparations and prompted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the filing of certificates of candidacy in the region late last year.
An earlier SC decision postponed the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections from October 2025 to March 30, 2026, and directed that they be held no later than March 31.
Once elections proceed, 32 district representatives will join 40 party-list members and eight sectoral representatives to form the first regular 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament, replacing the transitional authority that has governed the region since 2019.
Follow Tan Briones & Associates on LinkedIn for more legal updates and law-related articles.
