Manila: Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed his support for House Bill (HB) 7236, which seeks to set the final date for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to Philippines News Agency, Galvez showed his support during the hearing of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on Tuesday, as noted in an OPAPRU statement released Wednesday. The secretary emphasized the importance of holding the elections within the year.

Committee Chair Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong stated that HB 7236 aims to establish a final date for the BARMM parliamentary elections, which had been postponed three times following a Supreme Court ruling.

In the explanatory note, Adiong, along with Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong, highlighted that the bill seeks to uphold constitutional supremacy, comply with the Supreme Court's ruling on legislative redistricting, preserve the Bangsamoro peace process, and ensure a lawful and democratic transition to a fully elected Bangsamoro Parliament.

Galvez further affirmed that OPAPRU is prepared to offer all necessary support to ensure the elections are conducted successfully.