Senate approves bill resetting BARMM elections to Sept. 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate greenlighted on third and final reading a bill resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the second Monday of September 2026 and every three years thereafter.

Voting 21-0-0, the measure was approved during the Senate’s Monday plenary session. Sponsor of the measure, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, said the approval of the bill is one step forward to achieving peace in the Bangsamoro region.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, co-sponsor and co-author of the measure, meanwhile, expressed his full support for the approval of Senate Bill No. 1823 under Committee Report No. 29.

“We support a process that will ensure that every vote is truly valued. We believe that democracy is strongest when its foundations are firmly and properly established,” said Villanueva. 

“Democracy demands preparation. It requires clarity in representation and institutions that are fully equipped to carry out the will of the people. This measure is not about delaying democracy, rather, it is about strengthening it. Let us view this reset as a commitment to genuine democracy, one where the people of BARMM are able to participate fully, fairly, and confidently in choosing their leaders,” he added.

The Commission on Elections earlier expressed its openness to holding the BARMM elections in September.

Meanwhile, Zubiri said BARMM stakeholders and the House of Representatives likewise view September as the “best, earliest, and most practicable” schedule for the polls. /mr