COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-BARMM), under the leadership of Minister and BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, has declared ineffective the suspension imposed by the Cotabato City Sangguniang Panlungsod on four barangay chairpersons, citing violations of the election-related prohibition period.

In an official memorandum, the MILG-BARMM directed Cotabato City Director Edgardo Padolina to refuse and refrain from implementing any directive or order issued by any local government unit concerning the suspensions. The ministry stressed that MILG-BARMM is not under the authority of any LGU, but exercises direct general supervision over all local government units within the Bangsamoro region.

The directive followed the Cotabato City council’s order suspending Kalanganan 2 Barangay Chairman Datu Edris Pasawiran, Rosary Heights 12 Chairwoman Melissa Faye Ayunan, Kalanganan Mother Barangay Chairman Datu Bimbo Pasawiran, and Rosary Heights 5 Barangay Chairman Fidel Dindo Espino after administrative cases were filed against them.

MILG-BARMM emphasized that the timing of the suspensions falls within the election ban period prescribed under Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 49, or the Bangsamoro Local Government Code of 2023. Section 74 of the law prohibits the conduct of investigations and the implementation of administrative sanctions against elective local officials within 90 days prior to any scheduled election.

According to the ministry, the prohibited period began on 30 December 2025, and will remain in effect until 30 March 2026, the date set for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election. Any investigation or suspension order issued within this timeframe is considered legally infirm and unenforceable.

The memorandum, personally signed by Minister Macacua, underscored that while administrative complaints may exist, the law clearly bars their implementation during the election ban period to prevent political interference and ensure a level playing field during the electoral process.

The MILG-BARMM’s action effectively halts the enforcement of the suspensions and reinforces the ministry’s supervisory authority over LGUs, reiterating the primacy of the Bangsamoro Local Government Code in matters involving local officials during election periods.