COTABATO CITY (November 10) — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has begun its first field hearing on proposed districting measures in Tawi-Tawi, as the regional legislature races to meet the Supreme Court’s order to hold BARMM’s inaugural parliamentary elections by March 31, 2026.
The joint hearing, led by the Committees on Rules and Local Government, took place Thursday in Bongao town and tackled three pending bills — Parliament Bills 403, 407, and 408 — all proposing four legislative districts in Tawi-Tawi.
The measures were separately filed by members aligned with the MILF, the Misuari-led MNLF, and independent lawmakers.
Locals welcomed the BTA’s visit, praising Atty. John Anthony “Jet” Lim, a Tawi-Tawi native and chair of the Committee on Rules, for holding the consultation in the far-flung island province.
Community leaders led by Board Member Dayang Carlsum Sangkula-Jumaide urged lawmakers to draw district lines based on inter-island geography, maritime links, and cultural ties, noting calls for stronger Sama representation in the regional government.
Residents also pushed for strict enforcement of the anti-political dynasty provisions under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code to ensure fair competition and equal access to public resources.
The Tawi-Tawi consultation is the first of several field hearings across Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Marawi, Maguindanao del Norte and Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area. The results will feed into a consolidated bill to replace Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts 77 and 58, which the Supreme Court voided in September for failing to meet districting standards.
Although the BTA missed the Court’s October 30 deadline to pass a new law, officials are hopeful the timeline could extend to November 30. COMELEC Chair George Garcia has indicated that preparations remain on track to meet the March 2026 election deadline.
Stakeholders are now urging Chief Minister Abduraof Macacua to certify one of the bills as urgent to fast-track approval and keep the region’s first parliamentary polls on schedule.
