The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has formally acknowledged the passage of a crucial districting law in the Bangsamoro region but immediately flagged significant legal and logistical hurdles that now threaten the scheduled date for its inaugural parliamentary polls.
Legal Conflict with Supreme Court Directive
Comelec Chairman George Garcia pointed out a direct conflict between the new law and a clear mandate from the Supreme Court. The High Tribunal had explicitly prohibited any redistricting activity within 120 days before an election. With the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) approving Parliament Bill 415 on January 13, 2026, and the election date set for March 30, 2026, this action falls within the prohibited period.
"The SC clearly emphasized that there should be no redistricting 120 days before the election," Garcia stated in a phone interview. "Since we fixed the date of election on March 30, 2026, this will now run contrary to the prohibition mentioned and the provision of the law." This legal quandary creates immediate uncertainty over the election's timeline.
Mounting Operational Challenges
Beyond the legal questions, Garcia emphasized the severe practical challenges facing the poll body. The passage of the law leaves only 76 days to prepare for the complex Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election (BPE). This compressed timeline raises serious doubts about the feasibility of conducting a smooth and credible election.
"We are now confronted with operational issues as to whether the conduct of the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election is still feasible by March 30," Garcia explained. The commission must now scramble to implement new district boundaries, finalize candidate filings, and deploy resources under an extremely tight schedule.
A Timeline of Delays and Deadlines
The current crisis stems from a series of missed deadlines and subsequent rulings. The Supreme Court had originally directed the BTA to pass a new districting law by October 30, 2025. When that deadline was not met, the Comelec proceeded in November 2025 to set the election for March 30, 2026, adhering to the SC's overall directive to hold the vote by March 31, 2026.
The BTA's eventual passage of the law, which redefines the region's 32 parliamentary districts, while a necessary step, has now introduced new complications. Chairman Garcia admitted the Comelec cannot yet provide a definitive answer on whether the election will proceed as scheduled or face another postponement. "Does this mean na mare-reschedule uli ang Barmm elections? We are not yet prepared to answer that question," he said.
The situation leaves the historic first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election in a state of limbo, pending resolution of the legal concerns and an assessment of the commission's capacity to deliver the election within the drastically shortened preparation window.
