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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BARMM election reset to strengthen foundation of democracy, peace adviser says

BARMM election reset to strengthen foundation of democracy, peace adviser says

Published Mar 27, 2026 03:22 pm
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (File photo: OPAPRU)
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (File photo: OPAPRU)
The resetting of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a strategic move to ensure a credible transition to self-governance.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. expressed this sentiment following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act No. 12317, the law which officially moves the regional polls to September 14.
Galvez stated that the postponement is “not just a recalibration of timelines” but a necessary step to protect the integrity of the peace process.
“By allowing the necessary legal, institutional, and political conditions to be put in place, RA 12317 further strengthens the foundations of democratic, accountable and people-centered governance in the Bangsamoro,” he said.
The Bangsamoro region continues its delicate transition under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Signed 12 years ago between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the CAB ended decades of armed conflict in Mindanao and established the BARMM as a replacement for the previous autonomous setup.
This marked the fourth postponement of the BARMM parliamentary polls, which was originally scheduled in October 2022, and moved to May 2025, October 2025, early 2026, and now to September 24.
Galvez thanked Marcos for his “steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the Bangsamoro peace process.”
He noted that the Chief Executive has repeatedly vowed to protect the “sanctity of the peace process” as a cornerstone of the administration's policy.
The peace adviser also commended the Senate and House of Representatives for passing the law during a “critical juncture” in the transition.
The extension provides the BARMM government more time to establish its internal systems as the current regional administration is led by Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Speaker Mohammad Yacob, Galvez said.
The OPAPRU head also lauded the regional leaders for “effectively carrying out the affairs of governance and serving your people to the best of your abilities amidst the challenges.”
The transition period, according to the peace adviser, is vital for the “normalization track” of the peace deal, where former MILF combatants are required to decommission their weapons.
Galvez observed that the former fighters are now transitioning into “productive and law-abiding members of society.”

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