Malacañang on Thursday said the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will remain the legitimate governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Office of the President (OP) issued the statement following the postponement of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
“The BTA would continue to exercise full powers and authority during the extended transition period until new officials are duly elected or appointed,” the OP said in a statement.
“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,” the OP noted.
“No formal reappointment is necessary, as current members continue to hold office by operation of law until replaced or succeeded,” it added.
The OP also said the BTA’s unhampered operations “ensure continuity of governance, legal stability, and an orderly transition in the Bangsamoro.”
The continued authority of the BTA is consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Republic Act 12123, and the Supreme Court’s decision to postpone the first parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 13, 2025, Malacañang explained.
“The Office of the President reiterates its commitment to peace, self-governance, and inclusive development in the region,” it said.
Enacted in February 2025, RA 12123 reset the first regular elections in the BARMM to Oct. 13, 2025, from the original date of May 2025 and mandated that subsequent elections be synchronized with the 2028 national elections and held every three years thereafter.
In a decision dated Sept. 30, the SC declared as unconstitutional the redistricting laws enacted by the BTA that were intended to guide the elections.
The Court also directed the BTA to craft a new law outlining BARMM’s legislative districts by Oct. 30.
The ruling further moved the parliamentary elections to a date not later than March 31, 2026. With Nash Maulana
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “BTA remains ‘legitimate’ governing body of BARMM”
