Galvez pushes BARMM poll deferment anew

MANILA, Philippines — Peace and reconciliation adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. has made another appeal for lawmakers to postpone the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, citing the “unintended consequences” of the exclusion of Sulu province from BARMM.

Galvez, during a hearing of the House of Representatives on the proposed deferment, suggested moving the BARMM elections to 2026.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity fully supports the bill filed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he told lawmakers, adding that the OPAPRU respects the Supreme Court ruling separating Sulu from BARMM.

Among the reasons Galvez cited in asking for a postponement are the uncertainty in the employment status of 5,000 government workers in Sulu and the insufficiency of time to amend laws related to the BARMM.