MANILA – Petitioners of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77 have filed a Motion for Clarification before the Supreme Court, seeking a clearer interpretation of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued on September 15, 2025, in connection with the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.
The petitioners—MP Atty. Lanang T. Ali, Jr., Samsodin C. Amella, and Datuan M. Magon, Jr.—asked the High Court to determine whether the TRO extends to the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) preparations for the scheduled October 13 polls. They also requested the issuance of a Status Quo Ante Order to restore conditions prior to the implementation of BAA No. 77, which they argued could prevent confusion and safeguard voters’ rights in the region.
The original Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition was filed on August 29, 2025, under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, along with pleas for a TRO, a Writ of Preliminary Injunction, and/or a Status Quo Ante Order.
In the midst of the legal uncertainty, Senator Imee R. Marcos on Thursday, September 18, 2025, strongly opposed COMELEC’s move to suspend its preparations for the BARMM elections. She stressed that the TRO only covers issues on redistricting and does not prohibit the holding of elections itself.
“Bakit tila nagmamadali ang Comelec na huwag ganapin ang eleksyon sa BARMM? Ang TRO na inilabas ng Korte Suprema ay hindi para sa eleksyon, kundi para lamang sa redistricting,” Marcos said, adding that the poll body had already decided not to implement redistricting, thus retaining a legal basis to proceed with the vote.
The senator also questioned why preparations for the BARMM polls were suspended while preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE)—legally scheduled for next year—were continuing. She warned of “dark forces” allegedly influencing COMELEC’s decisions and called for transparency to ensure the protection of the Bangsamoro people’s right to suffrage.
Marcos underscored that holding the elections as scheduled is critical to sustaining peace and stability in Mindanao. “Matagal nang hinintay ng mga taga-BARMM ang kanilang karapatang pumili ng sariling lider. Hindi natin dapat hayaang mawala ito dahil lamang sa kalituhan o interes ng iilan,” she added.
As of this writing, both the Supreme Court and COMELEC have yet to issue a statement on the petitioners’ Motion for Clarification and the senator’s remarks.