By: Reigh John Bench Almendras
Photo from: Inquirer News
House Speaker Martin Romualdez and nine congressmen authored House Bill 11034 with measures to postpone the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for one year.
The bill proposes to postpone the May 12, 2025 elections to May 11, 2026. The authors argue that this will allow for resolutions on emerging issues in the region to maximize voter participation.
“In view of recent political and legal developments, this bill seeks additional time to allow the resolution of various emerging legal issues, promoting broader participation from political parties and enhancing the electorate’s understanding of new electoral processes,” the authors stated in the bill’s explanatory note.
Speaker Romualdez further emphasized the bill as a proactive measure and not a delay in the polls.
One of the political issues in the BARMM includes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) that removed Sulu from the provinces under BARMM, which has implications for the composition of the parliament and participation in the polls.
BARMM has also to consider the status of the Special Geographic Area (SGA) in the region which now consists of eight newly formed municipalities: Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Tugunan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Old Kabakan, and Kapalawan.
Once enacted by the President, the bill shall provide powers to the President to appoint 80 new interim members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), who shall serve until their successors have assumed positions in the parliament.
Senate on the issue
Senate President Francis Escudero has filed a counterpart bill that contains a proposal on allowing BARMM to accordingly adjust its jurisdictions and reallocate seats of its 80-member parliament in compliance with the decision of the SC to remove Sulu among provinces under BARMM.
Senate President Escudero also shared sentiments with the house, stating the need for a revisitation of substantive laws and an exhibition of pertinent developments in the region.
"More succinctly put, such developments refer to disenfranchisement and the need to revisit substantive laws," Escudero said.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman expressed opposition to the proposal on the reset of polls in the BARMM, arguing that there must be substantial evidence of the need for such a measure to be executed.
“Anumang panukala na nagsusulong ng pagpapaliban sa 2025 BARMM elections ay aking tinututulan dahil dapat maging tapat tayo sa pagtataguyod at pagtatanggol sa sagradong karapatan ng mga mamamayan na bumoto at magluklok ng mga lider na gagabay sa kanila sa mga susunod na taon,” Hataman said.
COMELEC continues to prepare for BARMM polls
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), stated that despite the call for postponement, they will continue to prepare for the BARMM parliamentary elections.
COMELEC Chairman George Garcia is in Cotabato to observe the first day of filing of COCs which pushed through as scheduled. He shared that they shall remain in operation until the proposals reach their enactment as a law.
“A bill is not yet a law. So we will proceed with all the activities in relation to election preparation for the BARMM. However, as in the past, we will defer to the wisdom of the legislature on this matter,” Garcia said.
As of this writing, seven regional parties have been accredited, and three more are expected to be announced within the day by the poll body.
Chairman Garcia stated that the removal of Sulu from provinces under BARMM shall be resolved by making the seats at stake in the polls 73 instead of 80 and that anyone can question the matter, for a motion for reconsideration is still pending before the SC.
House Bill 11034 was referred on Tuesday before the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms for its initial deliberations.