Manila: The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified a bill postponing the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to October 2025. During the plenary session, lawmakers approved the bicameral conference committee report reconciling differences between House Bill 11144 and Senate Bill 2942.

According to Philippines News Agency, the reconciled version moved the BARMM polls from May 12, 2025, to October 13, 2025. Subsequent elections will align with the 2028 national elections and occur every three years thereafter. The bill allows the current Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to continue governing the BARMM until newly elected officials assume office.

The legislation mandates the BARMM government to allocate the province of Sulu’s share in the annual block grant based on guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not open the filing of new certificates of candidacy or accept manifestations of intent to participate with a list of nominees for the October polls, except for the seats allocated to Sulu. Candidates who submitted their certificates of candidacy and party representatives listed in the nomination documents between November 4 and 9, 2024, will automatically retain their status as candidates and nominees.

The measure will now be endorsed for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signature as the Senate ratified the report on Tuesday. Marcos had earlier certified the measure as urgent.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed appreciation for the passage of the bill, noting its importance in strengthening the Bangsamoro peace process. “The OPAPRU extends its deepest gratitude to the honorable members of the Senate and House of Representatives for heeding the call of President Marcos and all our peace stakeholders to move the BARMM elections to a later date,” Galvez said.

He noted that the postponement allows the BARMM government to address urgent concerns before the elections. The President’s directive aligns with extensive consultations conducted by OPAPRU with stakeholders across the country. “It is better to act right instead of fast-tracking the conduct of the BARMM elections, which could result in issues that may have adverse repercussions on the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said.

The five-month delay aims to give the national and BARMM governments time to fulfill commitments under signed peace agreements and revise key legislation, including the Bangsamoro Electoral and Local Government Codes. Galvez stated that these revisions are necessary to align with the Supreme Court’s decision excluding Sulu from the BARMM and mitigating the impact of this ruling on the province.

“Instituting these amendments will take time. We believe that rescheduling the BARMM election would allow the Bangsamoro government to resolve all possible legalities to ensure smooth, peaceful, and credible elections in October 2025,” he added.