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30January
Bangsamoro Parliament approves key election reforms
- Jan 30, 2026
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 491
Parliament Bill No. 396, eliminating the NOTA option, passed with 40 votes in favor, two against, and no abstentions. Parliament Bill No. 419, introducing amendments to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, secured 32 affirmative votes, six negative votes, and no abstentions. Both bills were certified as urgent by Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, allowing for their immediate approval after the second reading.
The measures amend key sections of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of 2023.
NOTA Removed from Ballots
With the passage of PB No. 396, the official ballots for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections will now contain only the names of candidates and, for political party representatives, the logos of their respective political parties. Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chair George Erwin Garcia stated that the Electoral Code's provision for NOTA created uncertainty, as it didn't specify how seats would be filled if NOTA received the majority of votes. Deputy Speaker Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, a principal author of the bill, explained that retaining NOTA could lead to unfilled parliamentary seats, arguing that its removal would be more advantageous for the region’s first parliamentary elections.
Changes to Political Parties and Representation
PB No. 419 introduces several key changes to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code regarding political parties, party representation, and sectoral seats.
The measure clarifies that incumbent members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) seeking elective posts in the first parliamentary elections will not be considered resigned from their current positions.
The bill mandates all existing political parties, organizations, and coalitions seeking to participate in the elections to register and obtain new accreditation from COMELEC through the Bangsamoro Registration and Accreditation Committee (BRAC) under updated rules, with a 60-day window for compliance after the implementing rules are released.
The amendments also reduce the minimum membership requirement for establishing a regional political party from 10,000 to 5,000, provided that members are residents and registered voters in BARMM and are distributed across provinces and cities.
Lawmakers emphasized that the amendments did not diminish the required representation of women in political parties, maintaining the existing provision requiring that at least 30 percent of their nominees be women.
Party Representation Threshold Lowered
The measure lowers the vote threshold required for parties to win seats in Parliament, from 4 percent to 2.5 percent of the total valid votes in the party system elections. Deputy Floor Leader Rasol Mitmug Jr. said the change is intended to give smaller parties a better chance to win seats while ensuring fairness in the distribution.
Sectoral Representation Reforms
The amendments clarify the election of sectoral representatives. Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) will continue to elect representatives through their sectoral assembly, while all other sectoral representatives will be elected through a direct plurality of valid votes. The amended law also synchronizes the election of sectoral representatives (except for NMIPs) with the parliamentary elections, utilizing an automated election system. All previously issued certifications for sectoral organizations and sectoral wings of political parties have been revoked, requiring a new certification process with stricter timelines.
Lawmakers stated that the swift passage of these measures finalizes major revisions to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, providing clearer rules on ballots, political party participation, and sectoral representation. While COMELEC Chair Garcia has announced the postponement of the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections initially scheduled for March 30, 2026, preparations for the elections are ongoing. The Bangsamoro people will exercise their democratic right to elect representatives to the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament during the upcoming elections.
Write to Taher Guiambangan Solaiman
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