THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has lifted the gun ban across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision postponing BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE) to next year.
In Comelec Minute Resolution No. 25-1055 dated Oct. 3, the en banc ordered the lifting of election-related prohibitions in line with the High Tribunal’s ruling.
“Lift all election prohibitions, inclusive of the lifting of the prohibitions on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in the entire BARMM region including the City of Isabela in Basilan,” the resolution stated.
The poll body also said it is set to modify the schedule of activities in relation to the holding of the BPE not later than the end of March 2026.
“Modify the calendar of activities relating to the conduct of the BARMM Parliamentary Elections (which must be conducted not later than 31 March 2026) upon compliance by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority with the Supreme Court’s directive,” the Comelec said.
The Comelec further declared as moot and academic all comments earlier submitted by candidates, regional parliamentary political parties, sectoral organizations, citizens’ arms and other stakeholders.
It explained that this was due to the High Court’s ruling in the consolidated cases G.R. Nos. E-02219 and E-02235, which struck down Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) Nos. 58 and 77 as unconstitutional.
BAA 77 reorganized parliamentary districts within the BARMM to reallocate seats originally intended for Sulu. BAA 88 or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024 includes Sulu in its parliamentary districts.
At the same time, the Comelec said it is awaiting compliance by the BTA with the SC’s directive on the determination of parliamentary districts, with the deadline set Oct. 30.
The ruling prompted the Comelec to stop preparations for the BPE which was originally slated Oct. 13.
The SC en banc voted 11-3 with one abstention on Sept. 30 to hold the BPE not later than March 31, 2026.
