BARMM parliamentary districts bill approved
GENERAL SANTOS CITY: The Bangsamoro Parliament approved a bill creating 32 single-member parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on third and final reading on Wednesday, February 28.
Parliamentary Bill 267 which was passed on Dec. 18, 2023 through Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 58 got an almost unanimous vote, with 47 voting for its approval and only one against, while three did not participate.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong signed the bill on Wednesday following its approval.
The new law will serve as the foundational framework for the delineation of the parliamentary districts aimed at ensuring fair representation for the diverse needs and concerns of the Bangsamoro people.
The law will pave the way for the constitution of the new set of officials through an election to be held on May 12, 2025.
The electorate will choose the first set of officials in the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament consisting of 40 party representatives, 32 single-district representatives and eight sectoral representatives.
The 32 parliamentary districts are as follows: eight in Lanao del Sur, seven in Sulu, four each in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, three each in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, two in Cotabato City, and one in the Special Geographic Area comprising 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns that voted for inclusion in the BARMM in the 2019 plebiscite.
Jaafar “Jambo” Apollo Mikhail Matalam of the third district of Maguindanao del Sur was the only one who voted against the bill.
The three members of the parliament who abstained were Hatimil Hassan, Khalid Hadji Abdullah and Baintan Ampatuan.
Chief Minister Ebrahim reiterated the importance of fair representation, acknowledging the distinct requirements of the Bangsamoro people.
Balindong stated that it would be a bold step toward addressing constituents’ concerns with precision and fairness.
On the other hand, Floor Leader and Committee on Rules Chairman Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, who is also the concurrent minister of the Interior and Local Government, cited the importance of establishing a parliamentary form of government.
Dumama-Alba expressed confidence in the region’s readiness for the first parliamentary elections in 2025, following the delineation of these parliamentary districts.
The Bangsamoro region, which comprises six provinces, three cities, 116 municipalities and 2,590 baranga, is home to over four million people.
The parliamentary districts will function within the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament following the 2025 regular parliament elections.