MANILA — The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the implementation of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77 (BAA 77), pending the resolution of two consolidated petitions questioning its validity.

In a resolution, the Court consolidated G.R. No. E-02119 and G.R. No. E-02235 and enjoined the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and all persons acting under their authority from enforcing the measure. The TRO is effective immediately.

The BTA, created under Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, serves as the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the transition period.

Under Republic Act No. 12123, the region’s first parliamentary elections are set for October 13, 2025, with the election period having started on August 14, 2025.

Despite the election period already underway, the BTA passed BAA 77 on August 19, 2025. The law reorganizes parliamentary districts within BARMM by reallocating seven parliamentary seats that had previously been assigned to the Province of Sulu. In its 2024 ruling in Province of Sulu v. Medialdea, the Supreme Court held that Sulu is not part of BARMM.

Petitioners in G.R. No. E-02119 filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with a prayer for a TRO, arguing that BAA 77 violates the Voter’s Registration Act by altering precincts during the election period.

Meanwhile, petitioners in G.R. No. E-02235 also filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition, seeking a status quo ante order. They contended that BAA 77 is unconstitutional for undermining provisions guaranteeing free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections during the election period.

The Supreme Court directed the COMELEC and the BTA to file their comment on the petitions within a non-extendible period of five days from notice.