President Marcos has certified the bill seeking to postpone the Bangsamoro election as urgent, Malacañang said.
"This is confirmed," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Chavez said on Wednesday, Jan. 29, confirming that Marcos has certified the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) election postponement bill as urgent.
"The President has written to Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero certifying as urgent Senate Bill No. 2942 entitled 'An Act Resetting the First Regular Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Amending for the Purpose Article XVI, Section 13 of Republic Act No. 11054, Otherwise known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as amended'," PCO said in a separate statement on Wednesday afternoon.
This came as a confirmation of what Senate President Francis Escudero said that the President has certified the BARMM polls postponement.
Malacanang said "the move would address the urgent need of the Bangsamoro transitional government to realign its governance structure."
"It will also ensure that the region's aspirations for unity, inclusivity, and genuine autonomy are achieved," the Palace noted.
It further said that a copy of the letter was also transmitted to Speaker Martin Romualdez and Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza, President and adviser on legislative affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
The Senate on Tuesday approved on second reading a proposed measure resetting the first regular elections in BARMM to October 2025.
Calls to postpone the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, which was supposed to happen May this year, grew when the Supreme Court (SC) issued a decision to exclude Sulu province from BARMM.