MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has lifted the gun ban in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the Supreme Court’s decision to postpone the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) to next year.

In Comelec Minute Resolution No. 25-1055 dated October 3, the en banc ordered the lifting of all election-related prohibitions in line with the High Court’s ruling.

“Lift all election prohibitions, inclusive of the lifting of the prohibitions on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in the entire BARMM region including the City of Isabela in Basilan,” the resolution stated.

The Comelec said it will modify the calendar of activities related to the conduct of the BPE, which must be held not later than March 31, 2026, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive.

It also declared as moot and academic all comments previously submitted by candidates, political parties, sectoral organizations, and other stakeholders due to the High Court’s ruling in the consolidated cases G.R. Nos. E-02219 and E-02235, which struck down Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) Nos. 58 and 77 as unconstitutional.

BAA 77 reorganized parliamentary districts within BARMM and reallocated seats originally intended for Sulu, while BAA 88, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, includes Sulu in its parliamentary districts.

The Comelec said it is awaiting compliance from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on the Supreme Court’s directive to determine parliamentary districts, with the deadline set for October 30.

The ruling prompted the poll body to halt preparations for the BPE, which was originally scheduled for October 13.

The Supreme Court en banc voted 11-3 with one abstention on September 30 to reschedule the elections to a date not later than March 31, 2026. (PNA)