Gov’t studying calls to suspend BARMM polls - Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is reviewing calls to postpone next year’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections in light of Sulu’s exit from the group.
“We’re still studying it. Some of the local officials are saying that because of the Supreme Court decision of separating Sulu from BARMM, maraming implications in terms of the changes that have to be made. Baka hindi natin kayang gawin by May of next year,” said Marcos in an interview in Pangasinan.
[Translation: Some of the local officials are saying that because of the Supreme Court decision to separate Sulu from BARMM, there are many implications regarding the necessary adjustments. We might not be able to address these by May next year.]
Regional elections will coincide with the midterm polls in May.
The president said the BARMM transition authority is working on administrative, local government, and election codes in response to the high court ruling.
“Marami tayo na hindi nakita na naging unintended consequence ng decision ng Supreme Court. Kaya hangga't maaari gagawin namin na isasabay natin. Pero kung hindi kaya, mas mabuti nang maging tama kaysa sa madaliin natin tapos magkagulo lang,” he explained.
[Translation: There are many unintended consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision that we did not foresee. As much as possible, we will align the processes. But if it can’t be done, it’s better to get it right rather than rush it and risk causing disorder.]
Marcos did not provide a timeline for when a decision would be made regarding the elections.
Earlier, Senate President Chiz Escudero filed a bill seeking to postpone the BARMM parliamentary elections from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026.
In September, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law but ruled that Sulu is no longer part of BARMM. The region currently has 80 parliamentary seats under its electoral code, a structure now impacted by the ruling.
