Speaker Martin Romualdez led his colleagues Wednesday 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.
Romualdez explained that the proposed postponement under House Bill (HB) 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 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.
Romualdez emphasized that the BTA’s request reflects a genuine need for additional time to address key governance, electoral, and administrative issues.
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 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 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.
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 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.
In their bill, Romualdez and his co-authors underscored the BARMM’s critical role in fostering peace and economic development in Mindanao.
The transition period extension, they argue, is not merely a delay but a commitment to honoring the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people, ensuring that the historic first election is conducted in a way that guarantees fair representation, stability, and readiness for governance.
“This legislation,” Romualdez noted, “responds to the unique context of the Bangsamoro, allowing the region to uphold its autonomy while also adhering to the highest standards of governance within the Philippines.”
“This law is a testament to Congress’ dedication to the success of the BARMM, providing leaders with the time they need to complete this transition thoughtfully, inclusively, and with resilience for future generations,” he added.
