Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Monday that Congress is still reviewing the possible suspension or extension of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The proposal remains under study, with no final decision yet on whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will certify the matter as urgent.
“The BARMM extension or suspension of the elections is now with Congress. They are still studying that, and of course, they asked for input from us,” Bersamin said during an ambush interview.
He emphasized that BARMM, as a local autonomous region, operates under a unique governance structure.
When asked whether the President would certify the proposal as urgent, Bersamin noted the importance the administration places on the success of BARMM.
“The President gives the highest value to the BARMM. He is very happy that there is no fighting, no violence, no bloody encounters. He wants that to succeed. The BARMM project is a big one—it is not a mere project,” Bersamin stated.
Bersamin added that while the President is keen on ensuring peace and development in the region, a decision to certify the election-related measure as urgent will depend on its perceived importance and relevance to BARMM’s stability and progress.
The BARMM elections, initially scheduled for 2022, were postponed to 2025 under Republic Act No. 11593 to allow the region’s transition government more time to fulfill its mandate.
With discussions about another potential extension now underway, stakeholders continue to weigh the implications for governance and peace efforts in the region.
