THE House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has approved the bill proposing a one-year postponement of the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The panel chaired by Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog on Wednesday approved House Bill (HB) No. 11034, which seeks to move the BARMM elections from May 12, 2025 to May 11, 2026 to ensure “a well-prepared and effective transition for the Bangsamoro people, aligned with the request of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and recent developments in the region.”
The bill is authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The co-authors of the bill include Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Deputy Speaker Yasser Alonto Balindong, and Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Bai Dimple Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte, Munir Arbison Jr. of Sulu, and Yedda K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list.
Senate President Francis Escudero has filed a counterpart measure in the Senate.
Romualdez and the other House leaders filed the bill earlier this month after the BTA last October passed a resolution requesting for the extension of the transition period to 2028 following a recent Supreme Court decision which ruled that Sulu is not part of the BARMM.
The BTA cited the remaining work that remains to be done to ensure a successful shift to a fully functioning, democratically elected regional government such as passing important laws, building institutions and creating systems needed to support the future BARMM government.
The bill said the exclusion of Sulu has created a “legal vacuum” in the composition of the BARMM Parliament, particularly in the allocation of parliamentary district seats.
Romualdez said that by aligning with the BTA’s call for an extended transition, the proposed postponement seeks to give the BARMM Parliament time to adjust its composition and allow the BTA to “facilitate a smoother transition without the disruption of unresolved legal and administrative issues.”
He also said the one-year deferment will provide time for the BTA to work closely with various sectors in the region to address electoral readiness and voter education to make sure that the Bangsamoro people are fully prepared to participate in a democratic process that truly reflects their will.
Under the bill, the President shall appoint 80 new interim members of the BTA, who shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
The term of office of the present BTA members shall be deemed expired once the measure takes effect.
