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Before plenary debates took place, the House appropriations committee’s subcommittee approved the realignment of over P255 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control funds.

The task of reviewing amendments fell to the budget amendment review subcommittee (BARSc), which replaced the traditional and severely criticized small committee.

Sector-wise, the subcommittee under the appropriations panel prioritized allocations for health, agriculture, education and government assistance, significantly increasing the budgets of the agencies concerned.

Here’s how 27 government agencies and fund items benefited from the flood control fund realignment.

Health (DOH, PhilHealth)

One of the largest allocations went to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which received a P60-billion increase – nearly a fourth of the P256.5 billion realigned funds.

In the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the executive branch had proposed P53.26 billion for PhilHealth’s 2026 budget. Congress previously stripped off government subsidies from the state insurer in 2025, citing ‘excess’ or ‘surplus’ reserves PhilHealth failed to utilize.

The funds allocated to PhilHealth, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), are largely dedicated to supporting indirect contributors by serving as their premium contributions. Indirect contributors are composed of indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.

With the additional P60 billion, PhilHealth’s budget would rise to at least P113.26 billion to support the country’s universal health care program and expand benefit packages and case rates available to Filipinos.

The state insurer also funds the zero-balance billing program promoted by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., which allows PhilHealth members to receive free services and admission when confined in basic or ward accommodations of Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.

The DOH also received a P29.28-billion increase – well above its P16.58-billion request – bringing its proposed 2026 budget to around P289.47 billion. The amount also covers additional funding for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

In the NEP, P260.19 billion was earmarked for the DOH, excluding the attached corporations and agencies.

DOH, PCMC get P29.28 billion from flood control funds

Combined allocations to the DOH and PhilHealth make health the sector with the largest share of the rechanneled flood control funds, surpassing a third of the total realignment.

Agriculture (DA, NIA, DAR)

After health, agriculture emerged as the next major priority, with P44.97 billion realigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

This represents roughly 17.5% of the realigned funds.

The BARSc proposed a P39.37-billion increase for the DA, much of which would go to farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of post-harvest facilities and financial subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk.

This allocation is about P9 billion higher than the DA’s request for P30.44 billion in additional funding, bringing the House-proposed budget to P174.31 billion in new appropriations.

Meanwhile, the NIA and the DAR received far less than what they sought, with the committee granting them a P5 billion and P600 million increase, respectively.

Agriculture receives P44.97 billion from flood control funds

While less than its 2025 budget, the augmentation would bump up NIA’s budget for 2026 to P50.07 billion. The DAR’s budget was also increased to nearly P18 billion, around P7 billion more than its 2025 budget.

Education (DepEd, DOST, CHED, TESDA)

With an expected budget exceeding P1.224 trillion, education – spanning basic and higher levels and related programs – received the third-highest share of the flood control fund realignment (14.5%).

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to receive more than twice the additional funding it requested, with P26.55 billion realigned from flood control funds, largely for classroom construction and rehabilitation, facility improvements and the school-based feeding program.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), meanwhile, was granted P9.31 billion more funds, exactly how much it requested to fund the tertiary education subsidy and Tulong Dunong programs for universities and colleges.

To also settle the three-year funding gap of the Free Higher Education program, the committee agreed to allocate P12.3 billion from CHED’s budget and Congress’ funds during the plenary debates.

However, several state universities and colleges (SUCs) are expected to receive reduced funding if their proposed budgets in the 2026 NEP are retained in the executed budget.

Included in the education sector, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was given P450 million, significantly lower than its requested amount of P763.8 million.

Instead of scholarship augmentation, the BARSc focused on funding the construction and rehabilitation of the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City. Only P100 million was allocated for S and T scholarships, as opposed to the requested P413.8 million.

Two programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) focused on work training and scholarship are expected to receive P991.2 million in total from the DPWH funds. This, however, is less than a tenth of the requested P14.35 billion.

Education gains P37.3 billion from flood control funds

Social aid programs

Other than the health, agriculture and education sectors, the BARSc also proposed to augment the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) financial assistance programs with P35.91 billion from the DPWH’s budget cut.

The largest share was allocated to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), with an additional P32.06 billion to support a specific number of beneficiaries. It is slightly below the DSWD’s P37.07-billion request.

AICS provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food and financial assistance to Filipino families during emergencies, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, a capacity-building initiative for marginalized households, received the second-largest boost with P3 billion – still falling short of the agency’s P17-billion request by roughly P14 billion.

Despite the executive branch cutting funds for the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program, the BARSc has not proposed restoring its 2026 budget.

AKAP, which is former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pet project, is primarily implemented by the DSWD. It has faced criticism for overlapping with the AICS program and being perceived as a potential pork-barrel tool for lawmakers.

Cash dole-out programs get P35.9 billion from flood control funds

After the flood control fund adjustments, the DSWD may have a 2026 budget of roughly P257 billion.

Not yet final

The House continues plenary debates, where lawmakers scrutinize agency budget utilization and key programs, while budget sponsors from the appropriations committee defend allocations or pledge adjustments during the period of amendments.

This amendment period allows for revisions to line items in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

For example, appropriations chair Rep. Mikaela Suansing (Nueva Ecija, 1st District) promised to realign P12.3 billion to cover the free tuition law deficit as requested by concerned agencies.

Although over P255 billion has been approved for realignment to specific projects and agencies, final allocations may still be adjusted.

The BARSc, a 23-member subcommittee, reviews budgetary revisions from agencies, known as ‘institutional amendments.’ Should lawmakers seek additional funding or cuts to specific programs, Suansing said they would have to coordinate with the agencies for their requests to be considered.

Once the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) passes second reading – after institutional amendments have been reviewed by the BARSc, approved by the appropriations panel, and voted on by the plenary – no further amendments should be made.

Any more changes are expected to occur instead during the bicameral conference committee, where the House and Senate reconcile differences in the versions they approved.

Jake Figueroa showed why he is the top dog of National University.

Figueroa scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to tow the Bulldogs past the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 76-69, in their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament matchup Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The small forward shot 6-of-12 from the floor, including the dagger triple, while hauling down nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.

NU thus remained spotless through three games, joining the Ateneo Blue Eagles on top of the standings.

After Gelo Crisostomo’s short stab gave UST a 65-62 lead with 7:22 remaining, NU’s Gelo Santiago and Figueroa teamed up and scored four straight points to push the Bulldogs 66-65.

Mark Llemit then put UST up front anew, 67-66, before the two squads went on a dry spell.

Santiago and Figueroa broke the drought with back-to-back shots to give NU a 70-67 lead.

Nic Cabanero hit a jumper to inch the Tigers, playing in their own stomping grounds, closer.

But on the other end, Figueroa sized up Collins Akowe and hit the dagger 3-pointer to push NU ahead for good, 73-69.

In the next possession, UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao hoisted up an off-balanced triple that missed everything.

Free throws by Paul Francisco and Steve Nash Enriquez iced the game.

Omar John and PJ Palacielo chipped in 10 markers for the Bulldogs.

Cabanero paced UST with 19 points, six rebounds and an assist, but shot 8-of-19 from the floor. Amiel Acido backstopped with 18 points while Mark Llemit had 12.

Collins Akowe, a product of the NU Bullpups program where he won the UAAP Most Valuable Player and Best Foreign Student-Athlete awards, was held to just five points and eight rebounds after dominating in his first two collegiate games.

Before the contest, Akowe averaged 24.5 points and 18 rebounds per game.

UST now dropped to 2-1 this season. It will try to bounce back as it takes on still-winless University of the East Red, while NU will aim to keep its streak against defending champion University of the Philippines.

Both games will be held this Saturday, October 4, at the same venue.

Bills amending old laws, as well as those pushing for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation and more, are being prioritized for the 20th Congress, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) on Wednesday, October 1.

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), a joint effort between Congressional leaders and the President to align priority laws, has unveiled 44 bills it wishes to prioritize.

This was the first LEDAC meeting with newly installed leaders Senate President Tito Sotto and House Speaker Bojie Dy. The DEPDev initially proposed 33 measures from executive agencies, to which Congress added 11 more bills.

Two of these measures were proposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., namely the Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act and the Amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act.

‘We aim to sustain the strong momentum we established during the 19th Congress. With continued collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives, we are confident in our ability to push forward a legislative agenda that delivers meaningful change and a brighter future for all Filipinos,’ DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

The DEPDev listed the 44 LEDAC bills as follows:

Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act

Amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act

Department of Water Resources (DWR) Bill

Waste-to-Energy Bill

EPIRA Amendments: Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Strengthening Bill

National Land Use Act

Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics

Blue Economy Act

Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law

Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance Act

Right to Information Act

Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act

Philippine Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Act

Amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act

National Center for Geriatric Health

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act

Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act

Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act

Amendments to the Local Government Code

General Tax Amnesty

Extension of Estate Tax Amnesty

Amendments to the Fisheries Code

Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law

Amendments to the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law

Amendments to the Biofuels Act

Cybersecurity Act

Amendments to the National Building Code

Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs

National Reintegration Bill

Reprogramming of Seal of Good Local Governance

Digital Payments Act

Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development

Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act

Requiring Civil Servants to Waive Bank Secrecy

Law on Online Gambling

Disaster Risk Financing Insurance

Strengthening the Bases Conversion and Development Authority

Presidential Merit Scholarship Program

Disqualifying Relatives of Officials (4th degree) in Government Contracts

Fair Use of Social Media, AI and Internet Technology in Elections

Modernizing the Bureau of Immigration

Magna Carta for Barangays

Several bills on the LEDAC list appear to address recent corruption scandals involving government officials.

The flood control kickback scheme in the Department of Public Works and Highways exposed several weaknesses in government mechanisms against corruption and money laundering. Several lawmakers have been implicated in the Bulacan flood control mess, while several government contractors have been accused of executing ghost control projects.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and Araneta City on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the epic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ – one of the greatest boxing fights ever recorded on Earth at the heart of the Philippines – to also kick off a month-long countdown to a loaded world championship fight card on October 29 to further immortalize the duel’s legend.

MP Promotions, led by former senator, eight-division world champion and world boxing Hall of Famer Pacquiao and Irene Jose, COO of Uniprom as the entertainment arm of Araneta City, unveiled an exhibit featuring memorabilia from the classic heavyweight duel between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at the Araneta Coliseum, now known as the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With Ali and Frazier on the canvas, the Big Dome – at that time was one of the world’s largest indoor arenas – made the world stand still on Oct. 1, 1975, watched by more than 20,000 fans live and over a billion on TV and pay-per-view from all parts of the world.

Fifty years later, on October 29, the Philippines will commemorate that one-of-a-kind battle with a stacked card that includes Ali’s grand son Nico Ali Walsh.

Ali Walsh will clash with Thailand’s Patumpong Saengarun in a middleweight undercard bout, as WBC mininumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem stakes his belt against No. 2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa in the main event. Other Filipino standouts like Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, former unified world champion Marlon Tapales and rising star Carl Jammes Martin are also in the fray of a super card featuring 11 fights so far.

VIPs, including the families of Ali and Frazier and current world champions, have also been invited to grace the event.

“We honor the moment that forever changed the Philippine sporting landscape and global culture. The world stood still in what became one of the most iconic battles in boxing history. It was more than just a fight. It was a poetry in motion. Two giants of the sport stepped into the ring not as opponents but as symbols of pride, determination and will to win,” said Jose.

“Under the blazing heat of Manila, Ali and Frazier gave everything they had for 14 unforgettable rounds and as we make the golden anniversary of this bout, we remember the night and we honor a generation who rewrote history. Let this milestone remind us that great moments in history never fade. They echo and stood through time.”

Pacquiao, born in 1978, wasn’t alive just yet back then but is taking pride and honor of organizing and leading the commemoration of Thrilla in Manila for its golden anniversary with a full backing from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.

Malacañang has released a memorandum circular order for all agencies to highlight a sporting and cultural milestone that ‘placed the Philippines on the global stage’ for this month.

“Kinuwento lang sa akin at napaood ko lang sa replay ang Thrilla in Manila but now I’m blessed and happy na ako naman ngayon ang nagdala ng celebration of the 50th anniversaty nito. Honored and thankful to God for this blessing kasi alam naman natin na sa ang ating bansa ay nakilala sa sports, especially boxing. Nagkaroon tayo ng respeto mula sa buong mundo because of this sport,’ beamed Pacquiao, unarguably the greatest Filipino boxer in history.

“Dati, ako lang ang lumalaban dito sa Araneta pero ngayon, nagpo-promote na rin tayo ng big fights. I’m happy na kahit hindi pa tayo ipinapanganak noong time na ‘yun at kumbaga, tayo ang nagdala dito ngayon ng laban.”

Pacquiao, now 46 but has just unretired with a majority draw against Mario Barrios last July, once fought and won at the Big Dome in 2006 against Oscar Larios for the WBC title. Now coming back to the iconic venue as also a promoter, he’s hoping to produce the next world champions like him, Ali and Frazier.

Synology Inc., a global leader in network-attached storage (NAS), data protection and hybrid cloud solutions, today announced the appointment of VST-ECS Phils., Inc. as its official distribution partner in the Philippines.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Synology’s commitment to expanding its local presence and accelerating access to secure, scalable and high-performance data infrastructure across the country.

As digital transformation accelerates across industries in the Philippines, organizations face increasing challenges in securing, managing and scaling their data infrastructure.

Modern organizations require more than just basic storage-they need an end-to-end infrastructure that combines centralized data storage, automated backup, hybrid cloud integration and built-in cybersecurity features.

VST ECS will distribute Synology’s complete portfolio of solutions, including its network-attached storage (NAS), comprehensive data backup and recovery solutions, surveillance systems, as well as business productivity solutions.

These solutions empower organizations to streamline IT operations, enhance data protection and improve overall productivity.

‘We’re excited to strengthen Synology’s footprint in the Philippines through this partnership with VST ECS. With their extensive distribution network and deep local expertise, we expect connections with more organizations, accelerated market growth and increased delivery of enterprise-grade data solutions to the vast market,” Claire Huang, Synology’s country manager for the Philippines, said.

‘Our collaboration with VST ECS reinforces our long-term commitment to supporting the Philippines’ digital growth. Together, we aim to empower organizations of all sizes with reliable, innovative and future-ready IT solutions that strengthen the country’s technological capabilities and accelerate its digital transformation,’ Thachawan Chinchanakarn, ASEAN regional sales manager at Synology, said.

With its extensive nationwide reach and in-depth understanding of local market needs, VST ECS is well-positioned to bring Synology’s solutions to a broad range of business users, helping them build secure, scalable and intelligent IT environments.

‘As the country’s leading ICT distributor, VST ECS plays a pivotal role in empowering organizations with the right technologies to modernize infrastructure and future-proof operations. Our partnership with Synology allows us to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions that simplify data management, enhance protection and support seamless hybrid cloud adoption,’ Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Phils., Inc., said.

‘Backed by our nationwide channel network and deep technical expertise, we are committed to expanding Synology’s presence and enabling more organizations to build agile, secure and scalable IT environments’ he added.

This collaboration is part of Synology’s broader initiative to deepen its footprint in Southeast Asia by strengthening its local partner ecosystem and ensuring easier access to enterprise-grade data solutions.

Alex Eala ground out a gutsy 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win over Katarzyna Kawa of Poland in their rain-interrupted Round 1 duel in the WTA125 Suzhou Open yesterday at the Sungent International Tennis Center in China.

The fourth-seeded Eala kept her patience, cool and composure amidst the interruptions and outfought Kawa in their back-and-forth match that lasted two hours and 27 minutes.

It was payback time for Eala, who bowed to Kawa at the W60 Templeton event in California three years ago.

Eala, WTA No. 58, will face No. 106 Greet Minnen of Belgium in the Round of 16 for a shot at her fourth straight quarterfinals appearance.

With Eala and Kawa, WTA No. 124, locked at 2 in the first frame, officials suspended the match for a few hours before resuming in the afternoon.

Eala went on to win four of the last five games to take the first set before the match was halted anew momentarily down the stretch of the second with Kawa holding a 5-3 lead en route to a 6-3 win.

It became an explosive battle with Eala and Kawa taking turns in breaking at 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 in the extended decider. Eala finally snapped the exchange with a 2-0 closeout.

For many Filipinos, the word ‘debt’ is often avoided because it comes with fear and anxiety. Many stories of being buried in debt or struggling to pay it off have caused a negative perception. But the truth is, if used correctly and responsibly, loans are not something to fear-they can actually be a tool for growth and progress.

Mostly, it’s because of lack of financial knowledge and the bad experiences of others. If the concept of interest rates, repayment terms and proper budgeting isn’t clear, it’s easy to think of a loan as a burden. And when used for wants and not for needs, that’s when the impact becomes negative.

In fact, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, only two out of 10 Filipino adults have formal loans, while the rest rely on informal lending. Around 77% remain unbanked or underbanked, which explains the hesitation towards borrowing. Yet BSP data also shows that 43% of borrowers use loans for productive purposes such as business, real estate or asset purchases.

This proves that loans, when managed wisely, are not burdens but bridges. Whether for a home, a vehicle or a business, they can turn dreams into reality. With the right financing and discipline, loans don’t hold you back-they push you forward.

As one of the leading financing companies in the Philippines, Global Dominion Financing Inc. offers easy and affordable loan products such as car/truck financing, car refinancing (Sangla OR/CR) and more-all designed to support Filipinos in their journey to success.

At the heart of Global Dominion’s work is the commitment to show that it can be possible (#PwedePala) maabot ang tagumpay kapag may tamang ka-partner sa iyong financial needs. Loans are not enemies of financial freedom; used wisely, they’re bridges to success. With the right partner, you’ll realize that it’s possible to dream big and achieve more-because there will always be a “Ka-Partner Mo sa Pag-Angat.”

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank’s (CL Bank) Iponventure campaign has earned international acclaim with a Bronze Stevie Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year at the prestigious International Business Awards (IBA).

The award highlights the bank’s efforts to make saving simple, consistent and accessible for millions of Filipinos, proving that financial empowerment can begin with small, steady steps.

‘This recognition reaffirms our belief that true leadership is not measured only by growth and profit, but by how many lives we uplift and how much positive change we create. Iponventure is proof that even the simplest tools can spark a culture of saving, empower families and open doors to a brighter financial future for every Filipino,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, as he reflected on Iponventure’s global win.

At the heart of Iponventure is the IPONBOX, a simple but powerful tool that has been distributed to more than 700,000 clients nationwide. This visual savings container serves as a constant reminder to set aside even small amounts of money regularly.

Shared through branches, community events, employee programs and social media content from financial experts, the IPONBOX has grown into a recognizable symbol of the message: start small and save consistently.

The campaign also makes formal saving more accessible through Micro Savings Accounts, which can be opened with just a P50 initial deposit.

By breaking down one of the biggest barriers to banking, Iponventure empowers Filipinos to begin their savings journey. This effort is further supported by the Cebuana 24k Rewards Program, a free loyalty program that gives clients incentives for using the bank’s financial services, helping them save even more along the way.

In 2024, Iponventure opened over 1.1 million new Micro Savings accounts and raised balances among IPONBOX users. These savings have helped families handle emergencies, grow small businesses, and plan for their children’s future-showing that even modest deposits create real security.

Unlike short-term campaigns, Iponventure drives lasting behavior change by combining practical tools, financial education, and community involvement, making saving a daily habit championed by both clients and employees.

By aligning its social responsibility programs with its mission to promote inclusive financial empowerment, CL Bank has gone beyond offering services. It has started a movement that makes saving personal, practical and achievable for every Filipino.

COAL is a non-operational zombie, so I’m in favor of any move by COAL’s board that will make this company a productive part of the PSE. That said, I’m not a fan of backdoor listings, as I think they encourage blind speculation and reward insider trading while also side-stepping important parts of the price discovery process. Let me be clear: I’m not alleging that anyone related to COAL or PURE has done anything specific to encourage blind speculation, or that they’ve done insider trading. The lack of information is the issue. In a regular IPO, we’d get a legally vetted document that lays out the ownership structure, the plan, and the risk/reward matrix for all to see. Here, what do we know? Just the names of the buyers.

The Supreme Court has effectively reset the first regular parliamentary elections for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), ordering the polls to be conducted no later than March 31, 2026.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, October 1, Supreme Court Spokesperson Camille Ting said that the high court’s en banc session on Tuesday, September 30, declared two regional laws governing parliamentary districts-Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77 and BAA 58 -unconstitutional.

The high court also said that the parliamentary elections previously scheduled for October 13 cannot proceed due to the lack of a valid legal framework for defining electoral districts.

However, it ordered the Commission on Elections to proceed with preparations and conduct the first regular elections for the Members of the Parliament not later than March 31, 2026.

BAA 77 Voided. The Supreme Court also declared unconstitutional the BA77, the act which reorganized parliamentary districts to reallocate seats originally assigned to Sulu, was passed on Aug. 19, 2025, and signed on Aug. 28, 2025.

According to Ting, the act violated Section 5 of the Voters Registration Act, which prohibits the alteration of precincts once the election period has commenced.

She said that the act violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law requirement that districts must comprise adjoining areas.

‘Some local government units in Lano del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Cotabato City were assigned to different districts that were neither contiguous nor adjacent,’ Ting said.

BAA77 reorganizes parliamentary districts within the BARMM to reallocate seats originally intended for Sulu, after the Supreme Court declared that it was not part of the BARMM.

BAA 53 was also voided. The Supreme Court also declared BAA 58, the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, unconstitutional.

According to Ting, the high tribunal ruled that the nullification of BAA 77 does not revive the earlier law because BAA 58’s framework is now outdated.

BAA 58 still included Sulu in its parliamentary districts, a provision inconsistent with subsequent rulings removing Sulu from BARMM.

‘Since BAA 58 is based on an outdated framework following the removal of Sulu from BARMM, it cannot be reinstated,’ Ting said.

‘Rather, a new and valid districting law must be passed consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, national laws, and the Constitution,’ she added.

The Supreme Court also has issued a mandate requiring the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to immediately determine and finalize the new parliamentary districts, ensuring full compliance with the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the court’s specified criteria by Oct. 30, 2025.