September 16, 2025 — The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) stopping the implementation of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, also known as Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, which reorganizes parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a special session held on September 15, the SC en banc consolidated two petitions challenging the legality of BAA 77 — G.R. No. E-02219 filed by Lanang T. Ali, Jr., Samsodin C. Amella, and Datuan M. Magon, Jr., and G.R. No. E-02235 filed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander Abdullah “Bravo” Macapaar along with other petitioners.
The high court enjoined the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and all persons acting under their authority from enforcing the law “effective immediately,” pending resolution of the case. It also directed both the COMELEC and the BTA to submit their comments within a non-extendible period of five days.
BAA 77, passed on August 19, 2025 — just five days after the official election period for the first BARMM parliamentary elections began — sought to reorganize districts in BARMM, including the reallocation of seven parliamentary seats initially assigned to Sulu. In a 2024 ruling, the SC had earlier declared that Sulu is not part of BARMM in Province of Sulu v. Medialdea.
The petitioners argued that the enactment of BAA 77 violated election laws by altering precincts during the election period and undermined constitutional guarantees of free, orderly, and credible elections.
The first BARMM parliamentary elections are set for October 13, 2025, under Republic Act No. 12123, with the election period beginning on August 14, 2025.
BARMM Response
In a statement issued Tuesday, Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua said the TRO does not invalidate BAA 77 but merely suspends its implementation pending final judgment.
“We extend our deepest respect to the Court’s authority as the final interpreter of the law,” Macacua said. “BAA 77 remains a valid enactment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament, which enjoys the presumption of regularity, until such time that the Court renders its final judgment.”
The Chief Minister assured that the Bangsamoro Government would comply with the SC’s directive and submit its comment within the prescribed period.
“We remain steadfast in ensuring that all our actions are guided by justice, legality, and the welfare of the Bangsamoro people,” Macacua added.
Copies of the pleadings and updates on the case are available through the Supreme Court’s Public Pleadings section on its official website.