The Senate on Tuesday, March 18, ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill resetting the first regular Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections to September.

“To our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, ito na po ang hinihintay ninyo (this is what you have been waiting for). The promise of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was always to recognize the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination, and that includes the people’s right to choose their own leaders,” Zubiri, principal author and sponsor of the Senate measure, stressed during the ratification of the bicam report.

“After years and years of delays, here it is, finally, it will happen. As Eid’l Fitr approaches, I hope this stands as a meaningful gift to our brothers and sisters in the BARMM, the long-awaited chance for them to choose their own leaders and help shape the future of their region,” he added.

The Senate’s action clears one of the last major legislative steps for the measure resetting the first BARMM parliamentary elections to September this year, while also aligning the succeeding elections with the national and local polls in May 2031 and every three years thereafter.

Zubiri said the bicameral version did more than move the date, as it also simplified the election timeline and fixed the assumption of office of parliamentary officials, giving the region a clearer and more stable electoral cycle after months of legal and political uncertainty.

“In the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, we have simplified the BARMM election timeline by setting the first election to September this year, and the subsequent elections to coincide with the national and local elections on May 2031, and every three years thereafter,” Zubiri stressed.

“Sa ganitong paraan, mababawasan po ang gastos natin sa BARMM election, dahil maisasabay na ito sa national and local elections, as we have always intended in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Hindi na po natin kailangang hanapan pa ng budget ang COMELEC para makapag-hold ng standalone elections para lamang sa BARMM (In this way, we can reduce the expenses for the BARMM elections, since they can be held simultaneously with the national and local elections, as originally intended in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. We will no longer need to allocate a separate budget for the COMELEC to conduct standalone elections solely for BARMM),” Zubiri pointed out.

The bicam report also settled the assumption of office of parliamentary officials, one of the finer but necessary details that will define how the new regional institutions begin operating once the first regular election is held and the transition formally gives way to an elected Parliament.

“We have also settled the particularities of the assumption of office of parliamentary officials, specifying that they will take office on October 30 this year. By 2031, they will take office on June 30, same as most other elected officials in that same election year,” Zubiri noted.

From there, Zubiri turned from election mechanics to political purpose, saying the real burden now shifts to those who will seek seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament, because the institutions are finally being placed before the voters and must now be matched by leadership worthy of the opportunity.

“Ginawa na po natin lahat (We've don everything). We’ve done our best. Politically, we have delivered, as a Senate, as a Congress, and as a nation. And now it’s time that the people elect true leaders who love their region. Hindi na pamumulitika. Kasi ito na po ang pagkakataon na magkakaroon ng first Parliament ang Bangsamoro region within a presidential system of government (No more politicking. This is now the opportunity for the Bangsamoro region to have its first Parliament within a presidential system of government),” Zubiri declared.

He said that opportunity is rare and historic, and that those who win in the first Parliament will carry a responsibility that goes beyond ordinary electoral victory because they will help define the foundations of regional governance for the years ahead.

“They are getting a rare opportunity that will never happen again, so I really hope that they use this time to lay down the foundations for genuine, long-term development in the Bangsamoro region,” Zubiri stated.

Zubiri thanked lawmakers in both chambers for carrying the measure through its final stage and framed the bill as part of a wider national duty to defend peace in Mindanao through institutions that are elected, legitimate, and anchored on the people’s will.

“Now, I do have just one plea for whoever gets seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament this year: they have to make the most of their five-year term to help their region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla expressed gratitude and full support for the ratification of the bill resetting the BARMM elections.

He also thanked Zubiri for his dedication to peace and development, ensuring justice, fair representation, and a smooth transition to a regular government in BARMM.

“This bicameral report is a concrete step to ensure a smooth transition from the Bangsamoro transition government to a regular government,” Padilla said, noting that its approval is “a meaningful gift for Eid al-Fitr.”