House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has led the filing of a bill to defer the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026. 

The sought postponement under House Bill (HB) No. 11034 reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a well-prepared and effective transition for the Bangsamoro people, aligned with the request of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and recent developments in the region, Romualdez said. 

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has introduced a counterpart measure in the Senate. This highlighted the alignment and sense of urgency across both chambers of Congress. 

The BTA, which has governed the region since its creation, formally requested an extension of the transition period. It cited the critical work that remains to be completed to ensure a successful shift to a fully functioning, democratically elected regional government. 

In October, the BTA passed Resolution No. 641, which requested the extension of the transition period until 2028. 

This additional time would allow the BTA to fulfill its mandate of laying down the essential foundations for self-governance in the Bangsamoro, including passing crucial laws, building institutions, and creating systems needed to support the future BARMM government. 

Romualdez emphasized that the BTA’s request reflects a genuine need for additional time to address key governance, electoral, and administrative issues. 

With the region’s complex history and the challenges inherent in establishing a new autonomous government, the Speaker highlighted that the proposed postponement aligns with the BTA’s desire to ensure stability and readiness for BARMM’s first election, and it underscores the commitment to realizing a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Bangsamoro. 

Sulu issue 

Adding to these challenges, the recent Supreme Court (SC) decision that ruled the inclusion of Sulu in the BARMM unconstitutional has further complicated preparations for the 2025 elections. 

The exclusion of Sulu has created a legal vacuum in the BARMM Parliament’s composition, particularly concerning the allocation of parliamentary district seats. 

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) mandates a carefully balanced representation of political parties, districts, and sectoral groups. 

With Sulu removed from BARMM jurisdiction, the parliamentary seat allocations require recalibration, a process demanding time and extensive legislative adjustments to reflect the region’s new structure accurately. 

The BTA has expressed concerns that conducting the elections in 2025 without addressing these issues could result in significant operational and representational gaps, which might hinder BARMM’s effective governance and stability. 

By aligning with the BTA’s call for an extended transition, Romualdez noted, the proposed postponement seeks to allow the BARMM Parliament time to adjust its composition and for the BTA to facilitate a smoother transition without the disruption of unresolved legal and administrative issues. 

The Leyte 1st district congressman emphasized that the extension supports the BARMM’s journey towards a mature and stable government. 

“This postponement is not a delay in progress, but rather a necessary step to ensure that the foundations we are building for BARMM are solid and capable of supporting a sustainable autonomous government,” he stated. 

Prepared to participate 

The one-year deferment will also provide time for the BTA to work closely with various sectors in the region to address electoral readiness and voter education, thereby ensuring that the Bangsamoro people are fully prepared to participate in a democratic process that truly reflects their will. 

Under the bill, the President shall appoint the 80 new interim members of BTA, who shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.The term of office of the present BTA members shall be deemed expired. 

The proposed law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one newspaper of general circulation. 

Other co-authors of the deferment bill include Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, and Deputy Speaker Lanao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong.