MANILA – Malacañang assured the public that the government will fully comply with the Supreme Court’s (SC) temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the implementation of the Bangsamoro redistricting law.

“Kung iyan po ang desisyon ng Supreme Court, iyan naman po ay igagalang. Kung ano po ang inuutos ng Supreme Court, magku-comply naman po ang pamahalaan (If that’s the decision of the Supreme Court, we will respect that. Whatever the Supreme Court orders, the government will comply),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

The TRO, issued less than a month before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) first parliamentary elections on Oct. 13, has raised concerns over its possible impact on the polls and the peace process in Mindanao.

“Kung pangamba po, opo, mayroon pero susundin pa rin po ng administrasyon kung ano po ang sinasabi ng Supreme Court (If there’s a concern, yes, there is, but the administration will heed whatever the Supreme Court says),” Castro said.

The SC en banc on Tuesday ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and their agents to refrain from implementing Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77, pending resolution of petitions questioning its constitutionality and timing.

BAA 77, passed in August, sought to reorganize BARMM’s parliamentary districts and reallocate seven seats initially assigned to Sulu province. In a 2024 ruling, the SC declared that Sulu is not part of the BARMM.

Petitioners argued that the measure violates election laws and could undermine free and credible elections.

The high court has directed the Comelec and BTA to submit their comments within five days. On Wednesday, the Comelec en banc announced the suspension of preparations for the BARMM polls. (PNA)