THE House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading House Bill (HB) 11144 proposing that the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) be held in May 2026.
Bill proponent and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong explained that the rescheduling of the BARMM elections is being pushed for the following reasons: “the exclusion of Sulu (from the BARMM), the petition challenging the Bangsamoro electoral code of 2023 …questioning the constitutionality of the code. Nagre-request din po ang Comelec (Commission on Elections) ng additional time to adequately prepare for the parliamentary election given the unique, complex and novel nature of the Bangsamoro electoral code.”
The measure, aimed at providing additional time for BARMM to resolve various emerging legal issues and promote broader participation from political parties and allow the region to have a more enhanced understanding of the new electoral process, was approved with minor amendments.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Khalid Dimaporo expressing support for HB 11144, said “This bill is for the benefit of all of Mindanao and also our country. Why? Because we, the House of Representatives, are heavily invested in the BARMM.”
Aside from proposing that the BARMM elections be rescheduled, HB 11144 would also render the term of the present duly constituted Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) deemed expired upon the bill’s enactment.
To ensure continuity of BARMM operations, the measure authorizes the President to appoint the 80 new interim members to the BTA who shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Alonto, responding to Rep. Mujiv Hataman, during the period of sponsorship and debate, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will spend P852 million if the reset elections will be undertaken manually, while automated elections is estimated to cost is P1.771 billion.
According to Adiong, the budget for the BARMM elections will be incorporated in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Deputy Speakers Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco and Yasser Alonto Balindong presided over the plenary sessions on Monday.
