Courtesy: Office of the Speaker
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has led his colleagues in filing a bill to reset the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), moving them from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026.
Speaker Romualdez explained that the proposed postponement under House Bill (HB) No. 11034 reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a well-prepared and effective transition for the Bangsamoro people, aligned with the request of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and recent developments in the region.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has introduced a counterpart measure in the Senate, highlighting the alignment and sense of urgency across both chambers of Congress.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which has governed the region since its creation, formally requested an extension of the transition period, citing critical work that remains to be completed to ensure a successful shift to a fully functioning, democratically elected regional government.
In October, the BTA passed Resolution No. 641, requesting the extension of the transition period until 2028.
This additional time would allow the BTA to fulfill its mandate of laying down the essential foundations for self-governance in the Bangsamoro, including passing crucial laws, building institutions, and creating systems needed to support the future BARMM government.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the BTA’s request reflects a genuine need for additional time to address key governance, electoral, and administrative issues.
With the region’s complex history and the challenges inherent in establishing a new autonomous government, Speaker Romualdez highlighted that the proposed postponement aligns with the BTA’s desire to ensure stability and readiness for BARMM’s first election, and it underscores the commitment to realizing a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Bangsamoro.
Adding to these challenges, the recent Supreme Court decision that ruled the inclusion of Sulu in the BARMM unconstitutional has further complicated preparations for the 2025 elections.
The exclusion of Sulu has created a legal vacuum in the BARMM Parliament’s composition, particularly concerning the allocation of parliamentary district seats.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) mandates a carefully balanced representation of political parties, districts, and sectoral groups.
With Sulu removed from BARMM jurisdiction, the parliamentary seat allocations require recalibration, a process demanding time and extensive legislative adjustments to reflect the region’s new structure accurately.
The BTA has expressed concerns that conducting the elections in 2025 without addressing these issues could result in significant operational and representational gaps, which might hinder BARMM’s effective governance and stability.
By aligning with the BTA’s call for an extended transition, Speaker Romualdez noted, the proposed postponement seeks to allow the BARMM Parliament time to adjust its composition and for the BTA to facilitate a smoother transition without the disruption of unresolved legal and administrative issues.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the extension supports the BARMM’s journey towards a mature and stable government.
“This postponement is not a delay in progress, but rather a necessary step to ensure that the foundations we are building for BARMM are solid and capable of supporting a sustainable autonomous government,” he stated.
The one-year deferment will also provide time for the BTA to work closely with various sectors in the region to address electoral readiness and voter education, thereby ensuring that the Bangsamoro people are fully prepared to participate in a democratic process that truly reflects their will.
Under the bill, the President shall appoint the 80 new interim members of BTA, who shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
The term of office of the present BTA members shall be deemed expired.
The proposed law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one newspaper of general circulation.
Other co-authors of the deferment bill include Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, Deputy Speaker Yasser Alonto Balindong, Representatives Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Bai Dimple Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte, Munir Arbison Jr. of Sulu, and Yedda K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list.
