House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez says the proposal to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for one year isn't meant to delay progress.

“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,” Romualdez said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 11144 on the strength of 198 affirmative votes during nominal voting. Only four solons voted in the negative.

The rather controversial measure seeks to defer the upcoming BARMM polls from May 12, 2025 to May 11, 2026. It effectively amends Section 13, Article XVI of Republic Act (RA) No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Stakeholders of the BARMM, including politicians and local groups, have all been waiting for developments in the legislative side for the deferment of their first elections.

The Senate also has a similar bill filed by Senate President Chiz Escudero that is yet to be processed and deliberated upon.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said that it is ready to stop their preparations for the BARMM elections once the law postponing the exercise is enacted.

President Marcos, Romualdez's cousin, initially hinted at the possibility of suspending the elections in the region next year due to ongoing legal issues, including the exclusion of the province of Sulu from BARMM.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua, and Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali have all issued statements in support of the postponement of elections.

Numerous mayors from the region have also echoed this stance.

Romualdez is an author of HB No.11144.