Palace: BTA remains governing body in BARMM

The Office of the President (OP) on Thursday affirmed that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will continue to function as the legitimate governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the Supreme Court’s decision to postpone the region’s first regular parliamentary elections.

In a statement, the OP cited Republic Act No. 12123, stating that the BTA shall retain its full powers and authority throughout the extended transition period until new officials are duly elected or appointed.

“The authority to make changes in the composition of the BTA during the transition remains with the Office of the President, as provided by law. No formal reappointment is necessary, as current members continue to hold office by operation of law until replaced or succeeded,” Malacañang clarified.

The Palace emphasized that the continued mandate of the BTA ensures “continuity of governance, legal stability, and an orderly transition in the Bangsamoro,” consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), RA No. 12123, and the Supreme Court ruling in Ali v. COMELEC.

The affirmation came after the Supreme Court postponed the 13 October 2025 BARMM elections to a later date, but not beyond 31 March 2026.

Enacted in February 2025, RA No. 12123 moved the first regular BARMM elections from May 2025 to October 13, 2025, and synchronized future regional polls with the 2028 national elections and every three years thereafter.

Last month, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended preparations for the BARMM elections after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act. The TRO stemmed from pending petitions questioning the reallocation of seven parliamentary seats originally assigned to the province of Sulu.

The Supreme Court, in a 2024 ruling, declared that Sulu is not part of BARMM, further complicating electoral arrangements for the postponed regional polls.

The Office of the President reiterated its commitment to peace, self-governance, and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro region, underscoring the national government’s continuing support for the success of the Bangsamoro peace process and its transition to full autonomy.