SC issues TRO vs Bangsamoro law on Sulu seats

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77, which reconfigured the Bangsamoro region's parliamentary districts and redistributed seven seats initially assigned to Sulu.

The TRO is immediately effective and prevents the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) from implementing the law.

Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77 amended a previous act and redistricted seats following a 2024 Supreme Court decision that excluded Sulu from the Bangsamoro Region.

The law was passed by the BTA five days after the election period in the region started, and the petitions argue it violated the Voter's Registration Act for altering precincts during the election period, and is unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court ordered the Comelec and the BTA to submit their comments within five days.