House approves bill postponing BARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading the bill resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2025 to 2026.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, 198 congressmen voted to approve House Bill No. 11144, which amends Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and reschedules the region’s first regular polls to May 11, 2026.

It also sets subsequent elections after every three years on the second Monday of May.

READ: Basilan solon: No comprehensive consultation on BARMM poll reset

Four lawmakers voted against the measure.

The bill also authorizes President Marcos to appoint 80 new interim members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) who will serve until their successors are elected.

“The term of the present duly constituted BTA in the BARMM shall be deemed expired,” the bill said. HB 11144 also calls on the BARMM to “disburse the share of the province of Sulu in the annual block grant from the national government for the undertaking of its programs in 2025.”

The BTA had sought the deferment of the elections to “allow sufficient time to resolve legal issues affecting the parliamentary elections and ensure broader participation of political parties and a full understanding by the Bangsamoro electorate of the new parliamentary elections.”

It also said the reset would “enable the Bangsamoro government to sustain the momentum of socioeconomic progress in the region.” —Jeannette I. Andrade