Manila: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Tuesday lauded the Senate approval of a bill resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to September 2026.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Bill No. 1823, approved on Monday, moves the first regular election for the Bangsamoro government to the second Monday of September 2026 and every three years thereafter. OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. noted that with the bill's approval, crucial voter registration requirements and other preparations can be resolved, ensuring that no Bangsamoro voice is left unheard.

Galvez highlighted that the resetting of the elections is a strategic move to ensure that the transition process is inclusive, legally sound, and fully prepared for the historic exercise of democracy. The pursuit of these elections is considered vital to the legitimacy and long-term stability of the Bangsamoro government.

He further stated that this development brings the region closer to fulfilling the aspirations of the BARMM community to determine their own future and strengthen the foundations of lasting peace in Mindanao. The Bangsamoro elections, initially set for 2022, faced multiple delays due to legal and administrative challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling voiding BARMM's districting laws and the exclusion of Sulu province from the region.