The plenary hall of the House of Representatives (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

The measure postponing the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from May 12, 2025 to May 11, 2026 is on the cusp of getting final approval from the House of Representatives.

This, after the lower chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 11144 on second reading during the plenary session on Monday night, Dec. 9.

The bill, which earlier consolidated HB No. 4213, 4220, and 11034, earned the approval from lawmakers through voice vote—a voting method done through a simple "aye" or "nay".

During the period of individual amendments, Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman proposed adding the term “automated elections” as well as a new section stating that “The BARMM government shall disburse the share of the province of Sulu in the annual block grant from the national government for the undertaking of its programs in 2025” in the measure.

The bill’s principal sponsor Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and the majority accepted these amendments.

The proposed legislation amends Section 13, Article XVI of Republic Act (RA) No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Under HB No. 11144, subsequent BARMM elections shall be held on the second Monday of May 2029 and every three years thereafter.

It mandates the Commission on Elections (Comelec), through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office (BEO), to promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections.

Once enacted, the President shall appoint the 80 new interim members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), who shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualified.

With this, the term of the present BTA members shall be deemed expired upon the law’s effectiveness.

The move to defer the BARMM elections to 2026 came after the Supreme Court (SC) ruling in September that excluded the province of Sulu from the region.

On Nov. 26, the SC affirmed the decision with finality after denying motions for reconsideration.