The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has reiterated its commitment to completing and passing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) districting law by December 2025, fulfilling a key part of its mandate under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The Parliament, in a formal statement from the Office of the Floor Leader and Spokesperson, addressed public inquiries regarding the status of the districting process, which is necessary for the first regular Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The BTA Parliament acknowledged the ongoing preparations by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the polls, noting that these efforts are crucial for an orderly transition from the interim government to a regular parliamentary system.
The legislative body also cited the Supreme Court ruling in Ali et al. vs. BTA Parliament (G.R. Nos. E-02219 and E-02235), which clarified that the authority to set the date for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections rests exclusively with the Philippine Congress. The Parliament expressed its respect for the decision and anticipated the conduct of the region's first regular parliamentary polls.
Six versions of the proposed districting bill are currently under review by the Parliament, having been referred to the appropriate committees for detailed study, harmonization, and consolidation.
Public consultations on the proposed law have already commenced. The first consultation was held in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, on 6 November.
Further consultations are scheduled for 4 December in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), Maguindanao del Sur, and Basilan, followed by sessions on 7 December in Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Cotabato City.
The BTA Parliament stressed that the districting process is being conducted with transparency, due diligence, and broad public participation, in compliance with constitutional and legal requirements.
Alongside the districting measure, the Parliament is also deliberating the proposed BARMM Budget Bill for 2026 to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential government programs and services.
Floor Leader and spokesperson Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Jet Lim stated that managing both the districting law and the regional budget underscores the Parliament's commitment to responsible governance, service continuity, and an inclusive political transition for the Bangsamoro people.
The BTA Parliament encouraged stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the ongoing consultations to provide input for a fair, representative, and legally sound parliamentary districting system.