NEWS
Post-SC ruling: BTA faces pressure to fast-track valid redistricting law
- Oct 4, 2025
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 1664
The mandate for a new law follows the Supreme Court's decision on September 30, which declared as unconstitutional the two previous redistricting measures: Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77 and BAA 58.
SC nullifies BAA due to 'gerrymandering,' delays polls
Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Sheriff Abas, who had previously anticipated BAA 77’s nullification due to "gerrymandering," stressed the urgency for the BTA to act.
In a recent interview, Abas implored incumbent BTA members to hold a dialogue and agree on a compromise to craft a new bill that is "acceptable to all or at least majority of stakeholders and not susceptible to questions before higher authorities."
The Supreme Court, acting on petitions, invalidated BAA 77 for its non-adherence to the principle of contiguity—clustering noncontiguous towns into single districts—and for its passage during the election period.
BAA 58 was also invalidated for its "outdated framework" following the removal of Sulu province from the BARMM.
The nullification of both laws leaves the COMELEC without a legal framework to proceed with the thrice-delayed regional parliamentary election, originally set for October 13, 2025.
Consequently, the Supreme Court issued a firm directive:
- The BTA must immediately determine the new parliamentary districts in strict adherence to the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the court’s criteria, setting an absolute deadline of October 30, 2025.
- The COMELEC must then conduct the first regular BARMM parliamentary elections no later than March 31, 2026.
MP Iqbal: A BTA conference is essential
In an interview on Thursday, BTA Member of Parliament (MP) Mohagher Iqbal expressed hope that interim BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua would immediately call a conference among BTA members to chart the necessary steps for the new redistricting process.
"The proposed meeting should also address the BTA speakership, which has been left vacant following the demise of Speaker Pangalian Balindong on October 2," Iqbal added, highlighting the simultaneous need for internal leadership resolution.
Iqbal specifically pointed to the gerrymandering issue in Lanao del Sur under the nullified BAA 77, where the city of Marawi was allocated only one district despite its qualification for two. He suggested that addressing this specific concern would be key to resolving the gerrymandering question.
"The gerrymandering question can be resolved by providing Marawi City with two parliament districts," Iqbal asserted, presenting a concrete proposal for the BTA's urgent deliberations
Time in Cotabato
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