BARMM Legislature Advances Early Parliamentary District Redistributions
KORONADAL CITY — The Bangsamoro government is moving swiftly in its preparations for the upcoming regional elections in October. Key among these efforts is the early parliamentary district redistributions, which are crucial to ensure fair representation across the region.
Recently, a joint committee from the Bangsamoro Parliament approved the redrawing of 32 parliamentary district seats. This move brings the government closer to finalizing its election preparations.
Joint Committee Approves Critical Bill
The Committees on Local Government (CLG) and Amendments, Revision and Codification of Laws (CARCL) jointly approved Parliament Bill No. 351 during their meeting in Makati City. Co-chaired by Members of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo and Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, the committees conducted thorough consultations before endorsing the bill.
“The (joint) committee, after extensive consultations and deliberation, approved the (joint committee) report. This will pave the way for its eventual deliberation at the plenary,” Sinarimbo shared on social media.
Details of Parliamentary District Redistributions
The bill, a priority measure of the current regional leadership, is officially titled “An Act Reconstituting the Parliamentary Districts in the BARMM, Amending for the Purpose (BAA) 58.” It retains the total of 32 parliamentary district seats but redistributes them following the Supreme Court’s removal of Sulu province from BARMM jurisdiction.
Under the proposed allocation, the 32 seats are divided as follows: nine in Lanao del Sur; five each in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur; four each in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi; three in Cotabato City; and two in the Special Geographic Area.
By comparison, the previous distribution under Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 58 included seven districts for Sulu. The Supreme Court’s September ruling excluded Sulu from BARMM, leaving the parliament with only 25 district seats and a total of 73 members. To address this, the interim parliament reapportioned seats previously allotted to Sulu.
Population and Geography Guide District Apportionment
The redistricting aligns with population size and geographic considerations. Each parliamentary district now encompasses contiguous, compact, and adjacent areas with at least 100,000 residents. This ensures balanced representation that reflects the demographics and territorial realities of BARMM.
The joint committee’s report is expected to be presented to the plenary for further deliberations within the week. Local leaders noted that these steps are vital for a smooth and credible regional election this October.
For more news and updates on BARMM parliamentary district redistributions, visit Filipinokami.com.
