House lawmakers file bill moving BARMM polls to 2026
Metro Manila, Philippines — House lawmakers have filed a measure to move the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary polls to 2026.
The bill aims to amend the Organic Law for BARMM, which stated that the first regular election for the Bangsamoro government will be held simultaneously with the 2025 midterm polls on May 12. The proposed new election date will be on May 11, 2026, and the following polls will be every three years thereafter.
“In view of recent political and legal developments, this bill seeks additional time to allow the resolution of various emerging legal issues, promoting broader participation from political parties and enhancing the electorate's understanding of new electoral processes,” the bill’s explanatory note read.
The author cited as reasons the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM as declared by the Supreme Court, which led to “legal implications” on the Bangsamoro parliament composition and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) request to extend the transition period until 2028.
The bill stated that the president will appoint 80 new interim BTA members, who will serve until the successors are elected.
The bill’s authors are House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Reps. Dong Gonzales Jr., Mannix Dalipe, Sandro Marcos, Yedda Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Zia Adiong, Yasser Balindong, Bai Dimple Mastura, and Munir Arbison Jr.
Senate President Chiz Escudero earlier filed a counterpart measure at the upper chamber.
Poll postponement opposed
On the other hand, House Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman opposed moves to postpone the polls.
“The right of the Bangsamoro people to choose their own leaders who will be ultimately accountable to them is one of the highest expressions of our democracy as enshrined in both the Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” he said.
A representative of the congressional district in Basilan which is part of BARMM, Hataman said the Commission on Elections expressed its preparedness to hold the Bangsamoro polls.
He also cited the Supreme Court remark that elections should not be hastily set aside, noting that it has released guidelines on election postponement.
