Politics · Philippines Bureau
Bangsamoro group challenges Supreme Court over parliamentary district law
An advocacy group has returned to the Philippines' highest court to challenge provisions of the law creating parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, citing constitutional concerns.
LSN Philippines ·
COTABATO CITY — The Save Bangsamoro Movement mounted fresh legal pressure on the Supreme Court Monday, renewing its challenge to key provisions of Republic Act 11054, the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act that established the parliamentary districts in BARMM.
Datu Toks Abdulrahman, the group's spokesperson, led the demonstration as the organization pressed its argument that several sections of the legislation warrant nullification. The movement has maintained that aspects of the law conflict with constitutional requirements and the autonomous region's governance framework.
The Bangsamoro Autonomy Act, enacted in 2018, created the legal and institutional structure for BARMM following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Problem. The law established a parliamentary system of government replacing the previous executive-led structure and delineated electoral districts for the region.
The Save Bangsamoro Movement's continued legal action reflects ongoing tensions over implementation of autonomy provisions in Mindanao's Muslim-majority territory. The group's petition represents one of several constitutional challenges to elements of the autonomy framework that have reached the Supreme Court.
No date has been set for the Court to hear arguments on the petition, though legal observers expect deliberations to continue as the BARMM government consolidates its administrative operations.