SC ruled exclusion of Sulu from BARMM knowing polls can’t be postponed

The Supreme Court of the Philippines. Photo from the National Privacy Commission website / privacy.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it ruled the exclusion of Sulu from the Bangsamoro Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) knowing that “the election cannot be postponed.”

READ: Poe: BARMM yet to decide on postponing first parliamentary polls

According to SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting, the ruling was “immediately executory” so it should be fully implemented despite a motion for reconsideration filed before the High Court.

“There would be no reason for the Court to say it was immediately executory if it intended otherwise,” Ting told reporters in a Viber message.

READ: SC: Sulu not part of BARMM

“The Court, consistent with its prior rulings, issued the order making the decision immediately executory knowing that the election cannot be postponed,” she added.

The SC decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM was divisive, prompting some to seek the deferral of BARMM’s first parliamentary elections in 2025.

READ: PH officials clash over proposed deferral of BARMM polls