BTA remains as BARMM governing body

Until new Bangsamoro officials are elected

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will remain as the legitimate governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until new officials are elected or appointed, Malacañang said yesterday.

The Supreme Court (SC) recently declared as unconstitutional laws creating and reconstituting parliamentary districts in the region, thereby postponing the first BARMM parliamentary election on Oct. 13. The Comelec reset it to March 31.

The SC ruling stemmed from petitions that the laws violated the Voter’s Registration Act, which prohibits alterations of precincts once the election period has started.

The Office of the President said that since no election was conducted, the BTA would continue exercising authority during the extended transition period until new officials are elected or appointed, as provided under Republic Act 12123.

Signed by President Marcos in February, RA 12123 deferred the BARMM parliamentary election from May 12 to Oct. 13 this year.

The law also stated that the next BARMM vote should be synchronized with the 2028 general elections and every three years thereafter.

“The authority to make changes in the composition of the BTA during the transition remains with the Office of the President, as provided by law. No formal reappointment is necessary as the current members continue to hold office by operation of law until replaced or succeeded,” Malacañang said in a statement.

The Palace said the extended authority of the BTA would ensure continuity of governance, legal stability and orderly transition in the Bangsamoro, consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, RA 12123, and the SC ruling on the reapportionment of BARMM parliamentary districts.

As of yesterday, the BTA has yet to pass a new law redistricting the Bangsamoro region.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that as of Wednesday, the proposed law on the BARMM redistricting passed only the second reading.

Garcia said the SC gave the BTA until yesterday to pass the law and the Comelec to conduct the BARMM elections not later than March 31.

He said the Comelec could not start the preparation for the parliamentary election until a law redistricting the autonomous region is passed.   –  Mayen Jaymalin