House leaders seek BARMM polls postponement to 2026

House leaders, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, filed Tuesday a bill seeking to postpone the inaugural May 2025 polls in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to May 2026.

In a statement Wednesday, Romualdez said the proposed postponement reflects “a shared commitment to ensuring a well-prepared and effective transition for the Bangsamoro people” since it is no less than the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which requested for extension of the transition period to 2028 given the recent Supreme Court decision ruling that Sulu is not part of the BARMM.

The filing of the measure came after Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

“This postponement is not a delay in progress, but rather a necessary step to ensure that the foundations we are building for BARMM are solid and capable of supporting a sustainable autonomous government,” Romualdez said.

“This law is a testament to Congress’ dedication to the success of the BARMM, providing leaders with the time they need to complete this transition thoughtfully, inclusively, and with resilience for future generations,” he added. 

The one-year deferment, the Speaker said, will also provide time for the BTA to work closely with various sectors in the region to address electoral readiness and voter education, thereby ensuring that the Bangsamoro people are fully prepared to participate in a democratic process that truly reflects their will.

Aside from postponing polls for a year, House Bill 11034 also provides that the term of office of the present BTA members will be deemed expired and the President will appoint the 80 new interim members who will serve their term until their successors have been elected.—AOL, GMA Integrated News