THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday announced it has indefinitely suspended all its preparations for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled on October 13, which is just 26 days away.
In a press briefing, Comelec chairman George Garcia said: “The Comelec en banc has decided that, in compliance with the Supreme Court (SC) order, it is suspending all preparations for the conduct of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections on October 13, effective today.”
The SC on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025. It said the order was “effective immediately.
The high court likewise directed the poll body and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to file their comments within a non-extendible period of five days after receipt of the court’s order.
Garcia said that “everything we do will remain suspended until the temporary restraining order is lifted or until the SC issues a final ruling in the case involving the legality of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77.”
Asked if the October 13 polls push through as scheduled, the Comelec head admitted that this, too, is uncertain.
“Currently, due to our suspension of preparations, the Comelec cannot ascertain if there will be an election on October 13,” Garcia said.
“If it (BPE) is reset as a consequence of the TRO and since we suspended our preparations in compliance with the TRO, we will not be able to offer an answer on when the elections will be held,” he also said.
The Comelec has earlier disregarded BAA 77, which redistricts the BARMM, in preparing for the BPE owing to the proximity of its passage to Election Day.
BAA 77 was approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament on third and final reading last August 19. Bangsamoro region Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua signed it into law on August 28.
The law reorganized BARMM’s parliamentary districts and distributed the seven vacant seats originally allotted to Sulu before the SC ruled to exclude the province from the coverage of the Bangsamoro region.
The reconfigured parliamentary districts are the following: two for the special geographic area in Cotabato, nine for Lanao del Sur, five each for Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, four each for Basilan and Tawi Tawi, and three for Cotabato City.
Garcia said the Comelec will file today a manifestation and clarification on several items concerning the TRO of the SC.
He said they are also looking to file their comment to the case on Monday.
GUN BAN
The PNP yesterday said 22 persons have been arrested for violation of the gun ban in relation to the Bangsamoro polls.
It also said 32 firearms were seized from August 14 to September 16.
The PNP and other concerned agencies began implementing the gun ban last August 14 when the election period started. The election period will end on October 28.
“The PNP has already conducted 14,828 Comelec checkpoints from August 14 to September 16, resulting in 22 arrests and the seizure of 32 firearms in connection with the ongoing gun ban,” it said in a statement.
The PNP said focused law enforcement operations against private armed groups and the monitoring of loose firearms are also in “full swing.”
It said regional joint security control centers have likewise been activated to ensure “real time coordination” among the PNP, the AFP and the Comelec.
“These centers will serve as command hubs to assess threats, deploy forces, and immediately respond to incidents,” it added.
PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randolf Tuaño said the PNP has taken a “proactive stance,” in coordination with local government units, community leaders and other stakeholders, “to prevent any potential flashpoints.”
“The safety of voters and the credibility of the elections are our top priorities, and we will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the democratic process,” said Tuaño.
The PNP assured the public that it will continue to “heighten visibility, enforce strict gun control, and conduct inter-agency security drills as the countdown to Election Day continues.” – With Victor Reyes
