An election watchdog has urged the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to expedite the passage of a redistricting law, warning that repeated postponements of elections “erode democratic legitimacy and risk establishing a dangerous precedent where judicial or administrative uncertainties justify delaying elections set by law.” The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) issued this statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 58 and 77 unconstitutional. The Court found that BAA 77 violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s requirements for district contiguity, compactness, adjacency, and minimum population, and unconstitutionally granted Congress and the President powers over apportionment and interim appointments, which are reserved exclusively for the Bangsamoro Parliament. Additionally, BAA 77 was enacted after the election period began, contravening the Voter’s Registration Act. The Court also ruled that implementing BAA 58 after Sulu’s exclusion was unconstitutional, as it would result in a Parliament with fewer than the 32 district seats required under the BOL’s 80-seat composition. In a concurring and dissenting opinion, Acting Chief Justice Leonen stated the Parliament could function with fewer than 80 seats but cautioned that judicial interference with election dates risks undermining suffrage and autonomy. LENTE emphasized that the new redistricting law must adhere to the Court’s decision, ensuring districts are contiguous, compact, adjacent, and composed of at least 100,000 people, as per Article VII, Section 10 of the BOL. It also stressed that the law cannot delegate apportionment or appointment powers to Congress or the President, which belong exclusively to the Bangsamoro Parliament. The group highlighted that the law must be enacted by November 30 to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) sufficient time to prepare for the March 2026 elections, including resetting the filing of Certificates of Candidacy by January 2026 and printing ballots with accessibility features. LENTE warned that further delays endanger the 2026 elections, undermine public trust, and prolong the absence of elected representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament, threatening regional autonomy, suffrage, and the provision of effective government services to the Bangsamoro people. (MindaNews)
