The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Saturday the campaign and election periods for the Oct. 13 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) are still in effect amid the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court.
In a memorandum issued on Saturday, the Commission en banc approved the recommendation of its Law Department not to suspend these periods.
The poll body also noted that the processing of requests for authority will continue.
“The Commission, after due deliberation, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to adopt the following recommendations of the Law Department on the effect of the Temporary Restraining Order in GR Nos. E-02219 and E-02235 on the conduct of the 13 October 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections: The campaign and election periods for the 13 October 2025 BPE are not lifted, and all election prohibitions in connection therewith remain in effect and the processing of requests for authority in relation to specific election prohibitions shall continue, in accordance with the Omnibus Election Code, other applicable laws, and as implemented by Comelec Resolution No. 11156,” it said.
Based on the Calendar of Activities for the BPE, the election period began on Aug. 14 and runs until Oct. 28, or 60 days before and 15 days after the Oct. 13 polls.
On the other hand, the campaign period is from Aug. 28 to Oct. 11, or two days before Election Day.
Meanwhile, the Commission en banc has adopted the recommendation of the commissioner in charge of the BPE that the suspension of preparations for the polls only covers the internal preparations of the poll body.
“Please be informed that during the 19 September 2025 Referendum/Consultation, the Commission has resolved to adopt the recommendation of Commissioner Aimee Ferolino that the suspension be limited only to the Commission’s internal preparatory activities and should not extend to the regular conduct of security operations in support of the upcoming elections, in case the TRO will be lifted, ensuring continued coordination and readiness on the part of the security partners,” added the memorandum dated Sept. 19 but was released to the media on Saturday.
The memorandum was issued in response to an inquiry from the security sector partner agencies, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as to the implementation of the gun ban and deployment of PNP and AFP personnel to the region.
“In relation to these, may (it be) recorded that the suspension be limited only to the Commission’s internal preparatory activities and should not extend to the regular conduct of security operations in support of the upcoming elections. This will ensure continued coordination and readiness on the part of the security partners, pending our clarification on the Supreme Court’s TRO,” Ferolina said in her recommendation.
The gun ban is in effect from Aug. 14 to Oct. 28.
Last week, the High Court issued the TRO enjoining the implementation of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, which resulted in the issuance of an order from the commission to suspend all the preparations for the BPE to be held next month.
BAA 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act, reorganizes parliamentary districts within BARMM to reallocate the seven parliamentary seats initially assigned to Sulu province. (PNA)