MANILA: A bill seeking to postpone the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026, has been filed at the House of Representatives. According to a news release on Wednesday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the filing of House Bill (HB) 11034 in line with a formal request from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which cited the need for additional time to complete critical tasks required for a fully functioning, democratically elected BARMM government.

According to Philippines News Agency, the BTA’s request aims to allow more time to pass crucial laws, build institutions, and create systems needed to support BARMM’s transition toward self-governance. Romualdez emphasized that the postponement is a strategic move to ensure that the foundations for BARMM are strong and capable of supporting sustainable autonomous governance. In October, the BTA passed Resolution 641, calling for an extension of its mandate until 2028, highli
ghting the necessity to address governance, electoral, and administrative issues before conducting elections.

The proposed delay is also in response to a recent Supreme Court decision declaring Sulu’s inclusion in BARMM unconstitutional, which complicates the allocation of parliamentary seats in the BARMM Parliament. The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) requires balanced representation of political parties, districts, and sectoral groups, a process now challenged by Sulu’s exclusion. The bill stipulates that upon enactment, the President will appoint 80 interim BTA members to serve until elected successors assume office, with the law taking effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a national newspaper.

Co-sponsoring the bill with Romualdez are several lawmakers, including Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and others. Together, they emphasize BARMM’s role in fostering peace and economic development in Mindanao and assert that the extension is a com
mitment to fulfilling the Bangsamoro people’s aspirations for fair representation and stable governance.

Opposition to the bill comes from House Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman, who argues against postponing elections without extensive public consultations in BARMM to protect citizens’ right to suffrage. He stresses the importance of allowing the Bangsamoro people to choose their leaders, as it is a core expression of democracy. Hataman notes that the Commission on Elections and political and sectoral parties in the region are prepared for the 2025 elections, advocating for wide consultation to justify any postponement.

Hataman references Supreme Court guidelines under the Macalintal vs. Comelec case, which allow election postponement only if it promotes and protects people’s right to suffrage. (With a report from Zaldy De Layola/PNA)