‘Bangsamoro Muslim region polls to proceed with 73 seats up for grabs’ 

Philippines’ Commission on Elections says it can no longer delay region’s first-ever parliamentary elections 

MANILA, Philippines (MNTV) – The Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said it can no longer delay the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Muslim region on October 13 even though only 73 seats are up for grabs.

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said the poll body is ready to explain before the Supreme Court the poll body’s decision to proceed with the parliamentary elections in the region. 

“We are ready to answer and explain to the Supreme Court if we are ordered to respond,” he said in an interview.  

“In case there is a development, whether on law, the case, or any questions, the Comelec is ready to respond,” Laudiangco said. “However, the Comelec has only one clear message on this matter: We need to prepare and we cannot face any further delays if we want the elections to proceed on October 13.”

There were supposed to be 80 available parliamentary seats, but the seven seats that were originally intended for Sulu have yet to be reallocated by the interim Bangsamoro Parliament. 

In a September 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law but declared that Sulu was not part of BARMM. 

The SC ruling necessitated the redistribution of the seven vacated seats originally allocated to Sulu under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the measure postponing the BARMM polls from May 12 to October 13 this year.