Several officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have welcomed the signing of the law that resets the first parliamentary elections to September 2026.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12317 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the law that resets the first regular BARMM polls on the second Monday of September 2026, with subsequent elections to be synchronized with national and local elections starting in May 2031 and every three years thereafter.

Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said the signing of the law is timely as it would give both candidates and voters ample time to prepare.

“Mas saktong panahon at makapag-ready yung mga candidates for the parliament and also sa mga tao na hindi pa nakapag-rehistro kasi meron pang ample time up to September,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu added that the law will serve as an opportunity for the Bangsamoro people to choose their leaders.

“Parang gift na ito ng presidente sa amin. Pag may election na kasi mandato na iyan ng tao para sa mga elected officials na diyan natin kung baga makita yung galing at talino nila para ipahatid at ipadama sa mga constituents namin ang tamang serbisyo para sa kanila,” he added.

The Maguindanao del Sur’s lone district representative is confident that the upcoming BARMM elections would be peaceful.

“Ako kampante ako na maging peaceful ito. Hindi naman to national eh at nafo-focus ng ating kasundaluhan yung pagpapatupad ng kapayapaan before the election, during the election, and post election nadyan ang kapolisan at kasundaluhan at ang presidente natin laging tinitingnan at ipatutupad ang kapayapaan para sa Bangsamroo region,” Mangudadatu added.

Mangudadatu urged the Bangsamoro people to exercise their right to vote and choose leaders who can deliver the services and programs they need.

Meanwhile, Acting Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain assured that preparations are underway to ensure credible and orderly elections.

“The chief minister would ensure that the process would be credible, peaceful, transparent, and with integrity,” Cusain said.

He added that coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the region continues.

“Continuous naman even when the election yung earlier schedule we already have some preparations for that continuous yung ugnayan with Comelec regional office,” Cusain added.

Mohajirin Ali, spokesperson of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party and information officer of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the signing of the law is a welcome development as it aligns with long-standing calls to hold the BARMM elections.

“Yan yung hinahangad natin since last year pa. Yan yung mga bagay na matagal ng hinahangad ng UBJP na mangyari at magiging welcome development ito sa atin,” Ali said.

Despite several postponements, he said the latest schedule provides renewed momentum.

“Magre-resume yung momentum natin sa preparations at kailangan natin na mga activities na gawin in relation sa gaganaping elections,” Ali added.

Ali also stressed that the elections are crucial in strengthening governance in the region.

“This is the only way na magkaroon tayo ng very strong mandate, especially the governance for the BARMM,” Ali said.

The first elected BARMM officials will serve a five-year term starting from noon of October 30, 2026 to noon of June 30, 2031.

“Beginning 2031, the elected officials shall assume office at noon on the 30th day of June following their election,” the law said.

“The Parliament shall hold its regular session on the day immediately following the elected officials’ assumption of office,” it added.