House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has welcomed the approval on third and final reading of the bill that seek to postpone the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from May 12 next year to May 11, 2026.

In a statement Tuesday night, Dec. 17, Romualdez said House Bill (HB) No. 11144 “would allow for more time for the promotion of broader participation from political parties and the electorate, and enhance their understanding of new electoral processes".

It was just a few hours earlier when HB No.11144 garnered 198 "yes" votes in plenary, against only four "no" votes.

Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, is a principal author of the measure. 

The postponement was also in response to the clamor of stakeholders, added the Speaker.

The leader of the 300-plus strong legislative chamber said such decision has implications on the composition of the parliament of the autonomous region.

Under House Bill (HB) No. 11144, the first regular election in BARMM would be held on the second Monday of May 2026 and every three years thereafter.

Upon the effectivity of the postponement law, the term of office of the present members of the BARMM Transition Authority (BTA) shall be deemed expired.

President Marcos, whose term runs through 2028, shall then appoint 80 BTA members who shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

The BARMM government shall disburse the share of the province of Sulu from the annual block grant from the national government for its programs in 2025.