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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Galvez welcomes move to reset BARMM election

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Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. welcomed on Friday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s request to pass the bill resetting the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections from its original date on May 12, 2025 to later this October.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) is very pleased following the issuance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s certification to reset the first parliamentary BARMM elections as urgent to the Senate and House of Representatives,” Galvez said.

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According to the peace adviser, the President’s letter to the Senate is anchored on his steadfast commitment to push forward, sustain, and build on the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process. 

“Time and again, President Marcos has declared that the peace process in the Bangsamoro is the cornerstone of his administration’s peace agenda. He has not wavered in his commitment,” Galvez said. 

He added that the President’s guidance is in line with the findings of extensive consultations conducted by OPAPRU, which indicated that peace stakeholders not only in the Bangsamoro but throughout the country favored the re-scheduling of the BARMM elections.    

“Based on studies and consultations with our peace partners, there is a groundswell of support for the resetting of the BARMM elections. This means that we have the backing of virtually all stakeholders,” Galvez said. 

During the public hearings conducted by the Senate and House of Representatives on the proposal to reset the Bangsamoro elections, the OPAPRU has raised key concerns about why this is the best course of action that needs to be taken. 

“It is better to act right instead of fast-tracking the conduct of the BARMM elections, which could result in issues that may have adverse repercussions on the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said, quoting the President’s directive.

“By resetting the elections, we shall be providing both the National and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governments more time to focus their efforts on fulfilling the commitments they have made under all signed Bangsamoro Peace Agreements,” he explained.

Galvez also stressed the need for the Bangsamoro government to amend key legislation such as its Electoral Code and Local Government Code, so that they will align with the Supreme Court’s ruling excluding the province of Sulu from the BARMM. 

“Instituting these amendments will take time. This is the reason why giving the Bangsamoro government more time by virtue of the BARMM election’s postponement is crucial. We have to ensure that all legal issues are addressed,” he said. 

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