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Monday, February 17, 2025

Bicam okays 5-month deferment of BARMM elections to Oct. 13

The bicameral conference committee approved the bill postponing elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from May 12 to October 13, 2025.

“We adopted the proposal to postpone the polls for five months. The elections will be on October 13,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.

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“The House contingent agreed. The Senate contingent also adopted proposals from the House,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier certified the Senate version of the measure as urgent.

The Senate during the bicameral conference adopted key House provisions, including that the Bangsamoro polls will be automated and that the BARMM government is allowed to spend for Sulu despite its exclusion from the region.

For his part, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. welcomed the passage of the measure at the bicameral level.

“Our ultimate objective is to align with the President’s guidance of ensuring credible elections in BARMM,” Galvez told Manila Standard.

“A five month postponement will give us more than enough time to prepare,” he added.

He also assured the Bangsamoro people that regardless of the election outcome, the government is fully committed to implement all its commitments under the peace agreement with the MILF.

Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, however, challenged the decision of the bicameral conference committee resetting the BARMM elections.

Hataman, who was part of the bicameral discussions, did not sign the committee report, citing his firm stance against postponing the elections and extending the term of office of elected officials.

“If we really want peace, let the Bangsamoro people freely choose their own leaders through the elections in May 2025,” Hataman said in a statement.

The lawmaker underscored the need for accountability in governance, saying “it is time for the people of BARMM to directly elect their leaders after the transition period.”

Apart from opposing the election postponement, Hataman also rejected a significant result of resetting the elections that effectively shortens the term of office of those who will be elected in October 2025.

According to the bicameral-approved version, those who will be elected in October 2025 will serve only until June 30, 2028, instead of completing a full three-year term.

Hataman warned that this contradicts the constitutional mandate on the tenure of local officials.

“Postponing the elections further weakens democratic institutions in BARMM,” said Hataman.

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