Several government officials expressed views on the Senate bill postponing the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government on Thursday. 

Under Senate Bill 2862 or “An Act Resetting the First Regular Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” (BARMM) filed by Senate President Francis Escudero, the May 2025 polls will be moved to May 2026 to give time to prepare after Sulu’s exclusion from the region.

 Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez said they support the postponement since Sulu is an inalienable territory of BARMM. 

Official assures BARMM elections to be inclusive

“Though we respect the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is not, for us, acceptable that they will be excluded. In line with the high court’s ruling, the OPAPRU underscores that Sulu must have a proper transition plan that will enable the province to make a smooth transition of the BANGSAMORO region,” Galvez said. 

He cited three possible transition plans for Sulu—the reassignment of employees to ensure continuity of service, implementation of planned programs, and transfer of Bangsamoro government and assets in Sulu to appropriate entities. 

The said transfer, according to Galvez, may take two to three years. 

He added that the one-year postponement also gives BARMM time to refine its election policies and codes. 

“Given that several Bangsamoro policies apply to the province of Sulu, the BTA must be afforded ample time to review and amend this as needed so that it will not be vulnerable again for challenge for its constitutionality in the Supreme Court,” Galvez said. 

The deferment will also help address possible security threats that endanger the elections, according to the OPAPRU official. 

Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua supported the bill and said the additional time allows election bodies to enhance voter education for a credible and respected election. 

“Naka-connect ito sa peace process which the international community is watching. So if ever the result of this parliamentary election is doubtful or di katanggap-tangggap, o di kaya credible, masisira din naman ang takbo ng mga pagtingin natin sa peace process,” Macacua said.

 Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu, however, believes the postponement will curtail the right of the people. 

“It seems that we are denying the Bangsamoro people the right to choose their own leaders. They will allow the same people to serve for seven years without any election or mandate from the people,” Mangudadatu said. 

SC: Sulu Province not part of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

She cited the alleged violence that continues under the current Bangsamoro government, and lack of review on the bloc grant allocated to the region. 

“If extended, seven years na po ang BARMM without any oversight review how they spent more than 500B bloc grant and government funds. Bloc grant po ito mula sa taumbayan ng bawat Pilipino,” Mangudadatu said. “If people are so concerned with confidential fund and flood control, I think people should also be concerned about the 500B bloc grant freely given to Bangsamoro region.” 

“Hindi po postponement ng election ang dapat ninyong tutukan. Kundi ang bigong decommissioning at normalization ng MILF. Marami na pong nasawi kasama na po ang PNP, AFP, local officials, maging mga konsehal at higit sa lahat mga sibilyan na ang hangad ay kapayapaan lamang sa rehiyon ng BARMM,” she said. 

Senate committee chair Senator JV Ejercito said the Bangsamoro elections is a difficult issue to address. 

“Medyo mahirap itong simpleng bill na ito postponing the election. Kaya lang, we just have to hear both sides. Again, ako rin, gusto natin maging balanse and objective,” Ejercito said after the hearing. 

He hopes to finish their committee report by the end of November in time for the deadline of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in finalizing the list of candidates before December 13.