BARMM eyes year-end vote on district law

Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has called for a special session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament in the final days of the year to pass a crucial districting law ahead of the region’s first regular elections.

In a letter dated 22 December, Macacua requested Speaker Mohammad Yacob to convene the parliament on 29 December, with possible extensions through 30 and 31 December.

The move seeks to bypass the parliament’s holiday break, which began on 18 December and was scheduled to last until January.

The proposed legislation, consolidated as BTA Bill 415, would establish 32 single-member parliamentary districts, a foundational requirement for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections scheduled for 2026.

“This is to continue the deliberations on the proposed bill providing for the redistricting of parliamentary districts,” Macacua wrote, describing the request as urgent.

The push for year-end approval follows a Supreme Court directive to enact the law, though the parliament missed its earlier target of passing the measure before the regular session adjourned.

The timing has raised concerns among regional leaders.

Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. warned that further delays could disenfranchise voters and stall the transition from an appointed interim government to a fully elected one.

Adiong said most provincial governors oppose any further postponement of the elections set for May 2026.

“If you ask the people, they already want to choose their own leaders,” Adiong said.