The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has raised a significant alarm, stating that the scheduled Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) in March 2026 are now in serious jeopardy. This crisis stems from the failure to enact a crucial redistricting law on time.
Missed Deadline Creates Constitutional Crisis
Comelec Chairman George Garcia expressed deep concern on Friday, December 19, 2025, highlighting the inaction of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The Supreme Court had mandated the BTA to pass a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) districting law by October 30, 2025. However, the Bangsamoro Parliament adjourned its final session on Thursday, December 18, without passing the required legislation.
"It seems that there will be no Bangsamoro elections yet. As of yesterday, the last day of the Bangsamoro Parliament, they haven't passed any bill. So, it looks like we now have a problem," Garcia stated bluntly to reporters. The High Tribunal's order was clear: following the law's passage, Comelec must prepare and conduct the BPE no later than March 31, 2026.
Comelec's Contingency Plan: A Synchronized Election
Faced with this legal and logistical impasse, the poll body is formulating a backup plan. Chairman Garcia revealed that the Comelec is now considering asking Congress to intervene. The proposed solution is to pass a law rescheduling the BPE to November 2026, aligning it with the already postponed Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
"The Comelec is planning to endorse to Congress that if the BPE doesn't push through on March 30, we will be supporting and, in fact, endorsing a bill for it to be held simultaneously with the BSKE," Garcia explained. This move would consolidate two major electoral exercises, potentially easing operational burdens on the commission.
Implications for the Bangsamoro Transition
This potential delay marks another pivotal moment in the Bangsamoro region's political journey. The failure to meet the Supreme Court's deadline creates uncertainty around the transition from the appointed BTA to a fully elected parliamentary government. The synchronization with the BSKE, now set for November 2, 2026, as per Republic Act 12232, presents a practical alternative but also extends the transition period.
The Comelec's warning underscores the pressing need for legislative action to resolve the districting issue, whether to salvage the March 2026 date or to formally authorize the November synchronization. All eyes are now on Congress to see how it will address this emerging electoral challenge.
