House members want BARMM polls deferred

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez and eight other lawmakers filed House Bill (HB) 11034, seeking to move the BARMM  parliamentary elections from May 12, 2025 to May 11, 2026.

On Monday, a similar bill was filed by  Senate President Francis Escudero.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Sen. Imee Marcos said they are against the postponement of the BARMM elections.

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

The measure states that the terms of office of the present BTA members are deemed expired.

Once signed by the President, the law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

HB 11034 cited the BARMM’s role in fostering peace and economic development in Mindanao.

Proponents of the bill said the extension of the transition period is not a delay, but a commitment to honoring the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

They said the legislation seeks to ensure that the BARMM elections will be fair and stable, and the elected officials ready for governance.

“This legislation responds to the unique context of the Bangsamoro, allowing the region to uphold its autonomy while also adhering to the highest standards of governance,” Romualdez said.

He said the recent Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from BARMM complicated preparations for the 2025 elections, including the BARMM polls.

Senate retains Comelec budget

Meanwhile, the Senate retained the proposed 2025 allocation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) despite calls to postpone the BARMM electoral exercise.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said the proposed P35.19-billion funding for the Comelec would ensure that the 2025 midterm elections will proceed as scheduled.

The Senate has started deliberating on the proposed P6.35-trillion national budget for 2025. –  Cecille Suerte Felipe