Transition officials in the Bangsamoro region are optimistic that high turnout at public consultations concluding today, Dec. 12, will pave the way for "constitutionally compliant" parliamentary elections next year.
The series of open discussions on the proposed districting bills ends today in Maguindanao del Norte.
Member of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo emphasized that the inclusive nature of these talks is crucial to meeting legal requirements for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections slated for March 2026.
"The districting bills underwent rigorous scrutiny from a diverse crowd of attendees," Sinarimbo, a lawyer and chair of the transition parliament's local government committee, said.
Public suggestions included changes to town cluster configurations in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, as well as adjustments for contested areas in Lanao del Sur.
"Unusually large" and diverse crowds attended the consultations, reinforcing the legitimacy of the measures and proving they are shaped through a genuinely participatory democratic process, officials from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) said.
Sinarimbo reported attendance levels exceeded expectations, marking one of the most widely attended public consultation efforts of the transition period.
Participants engaged lawmakers in extended discussions on district boundaries, population representation, and seat allocation for the future parliament.
Stakeholders raised concerns on minority representation, geographic contiguity, and aligning districts with social and economic realities.
Race Against Time
The consultation caravan began in November, covering Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and the Special Geographic Area.
It proceeded to Lanao del Sur on Dec. 7, Cotabato City on Dec. 8, and Maguindanao del Sur on Dec. 10, wrapping up today.
BTA officials stressed these sessions were critical to strengthening the legal legitimacy of the districting law, amid pressure to pass the measure ahead of election deadlines.
"Transparency will not be sacrificed," transition lawmakers maintained. Resource speakers assured attendees that all inputs – written and oral – were formally recorded and will be considered in refining the final bills.
Sinarimbo added that the consultations will help ensure the final district configuration fairly represents the region's diverse communities.
