The Senate ratified on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the bicameral conference committee report on the bill resetting the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to Oct. 13, 2025.

During the plenary session, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said that the bicam committee which convened earlier, adopted the Senate version of the bill as the working draft.
He also reported the provisions of the present reconciled bill that accompanies the bicam report.
"Under the reconciled version, the conferees came to an agreement to set the first regular election of the BARMM on October 13, 2025, and that the next election shall be held and synchronized with the 2028 National Elections and every three years thereafter," he said.
"Furthermore, the conference committee members agreed to adopt provision in the Senate version for the present Bangsamoro Transition Authority to continue as the interim government in the BARMM until their successors are elected and qualified," he added.
Under the reconciled bill, Ejercito disclosed that the BARMM government is mandated to disburse the share of the Province of Sulu in the annual block grant in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and Management.
He added that it was also agreed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer open the filling of new certificates of candidacies or accept manifestations of intent to participate with a list of nominees, except for the seats allocated to the province of Sulu.
The candidates who have already filed their certificate of candidacies and the nominees for party representatives included in the certificate of nomination and acceptance of the political parties from November 4 to 9, 2024, shall be automatically considered candidates and nominees.
"Mr. President, wala po tayong ibang hangad kundi ang pinakamabuti para sa ating mga kapatid sa BARMM. We continue to pursue our commitment to promote their welfare and secure lasting peace in the region (Mr. President, we have no other desire but the best for our brothers and sisters in the BARMM. We remain committed to promoting their welfare and securing lasting peace in the region)," he concluded.