The first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will not take place next year after all.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed in a text message to Malacañang reporters Friday, Oct. 29 that President Duterte has signed a new law postponing the BARMM elections to 2025.
In a subsequent press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the Chief Executive signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11593, also known as "An Act resetting the first regular elections in the , amending for the purpose, Section 13, Article XVI of No. 11054, otherwise known as the 'Organic Law for the .'"
Had the BARMM polls been allowed to push through, it would have been held on the same year as the 2022 Philippine national and local elections.
"Sang-ayon po sa batas na ito, binibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang ating Presidente na mag-appoint ng hanggang (According to this law, the President is given the power to appoint up to) 80 new interim members of the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) who shall serve until June 30, 2025 or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified," Roque said of RA No. 11593.
The newly-signed law says that during the extension of the transition period from 2022 to 2025, the BTA shall continue as the interim government in the BARMM.
"If any of the provisions of of Act is held unconstitutional, provisions not affected shall remain valid and binding," it further said.