MALACAÑANG has renewed its call for urgency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), declaring the newly enacted election law as the final key to unlocking the region’s first regular parliamentary elections.

In an emailed press advisory today, January 20, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. underscored that the measure is vital to completing the transition from the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to a fully elected government at the “earliest legally feasible time.”

Lagdameo cautioned that failure to meet the remaining operational timelines could force a postponement of the polls — echoing earlier warnings from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that any delay could push the elections to 2026 to avoid clashing with preparations for the 2028 national polls.

“The first Barmm Parliamentary Elections will be a historic moment not just for the region but for the entire nation. It is an opportunity for the Bangsamoro to shape their parliament directly and to prove that democracy here is strong and that leadership is truly accountable to the people,” Lagdameo said.

High stakes for peace

The renewed push aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm stance that the elections are indispensable to the peace process.

“If the election fails, that will be a big failure in the peace process. That’s why the Bangsamoro elections need to be successful. Failed Barmm polls are not an option,” the President said in an earlier statement.

Clearing the legal hurdle

Momentum toward the polls gained significantly on January 13 after the BTA Parliament approved BTA Bill No. 415, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2025. The measure, a constitutional prerequisite for the elections, establishes 32 single-member parliamentary districts across the region.

The bill was passed after a grueling 10-hour session, with 48 votes in favor, 19 against, and four abstentions.

Under the new law, the districts are apportioned as follows:

  • Lanao del Sur (including Marawi City): 9 districts
  • Maguindanao del Norte: 5 districts
  • Maguindanao del Sur: 5 districts
  • Basilan: 4 districts
  • Tawi-Tawi: 4 districts
  • Cotabato City: 3 districts
  • Special Geographic Area: 2 districts

The allocation conforms with a 2025 Supreme Court ruling that nullified an earlier districting plan and excluded Sulu from the Barmm.

With the districts now defined, the Comelec is set to begin full-scale preparations for the election of the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament, comprising 32 district representatives, 40 party-list representatives, and eight sectoral representatives — marking a crucial milestone in the region’s transition to a fully democratic and self-governing polity.