Bangsamoro gov’t welcomes Congress approval of final date for parliamentary polls

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday welcomed the Congress’ approval of the new date for its first parliamentary elections, which will give way for the transition from the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“This legislative measure, which was certified as urgent by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reflects the necessity of ensuring a smooth and well prepared transition before the region holds its first parliamentary elections,” the statement read.
“The resetting of the elections is a necessary step to fully implement the remaining aspects of the transition plan, including key governance reforms and the institutionalization of structures mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” the BARMM added.
The bicameral conference committee on Tuesday finalized the bill postponing the first BARMM parliamentary elections from May 12 to October 13, 2025.
During the bicameral meeting, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the Senate adopted the provisions in the House version that clarified that the polls will be automated and that the BARMM government is allowed to spend for Sulu despite the latter's exclusion from the region.
Should the bill be enacted into law, Escudero said it will be effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, unlike the other laws that will only be effective 15 days upon the completion of the publication in newspapers of general circulation.
Further, the BARMM said the measure will provide the region an “ample time to address legal and security concerns that directly impact the integrity and inclusivity of the electoral process.”
“Among these is the exclusion of the Province of Sulu from the BARMM, which has profound implications for the region’s territorial jurisdiction, governance, and representation,” it added.
In March 2023, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority passed the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, which will allow democratic participation in the local and regional elections. It would also open the creation of political parties in the region with representations from women, youth, indigenous people, settler communities, traditional leaders, and the Ulama.
The BARMM’s parliamentary polls were supposed to happen last May 2022, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — BAP, GMA Integrated News