Ten mayors in Basilan are supporting the move to reset the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

These mayors include Roderick Furigay of Lamitan City, Nasser Abubakar of Lantawan, Moner Manisan of Tabuan Lasa, Jomar Maturan of Ungkaya Pukan, Jaydeefar Lajid of Albarka, Alih Sali of Akbar, Arsina Kahing-Nanoh of Muhtamad, Jul-Adnan Hataman of Sumisip, Arcam Istarul of Tipo-Tipo, and Talib Pawaki of Hj. Muhammad Ajul.

They signed a position paper expressing their stand, which came after five governors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including Basilan Governor Jim Salliman, backed the Senate bills that seek to move the 2025 parliamentary polls a year later so that there will be more time to prepare.

The 10 Basilan mayors believe this is a wise move.

“Holding these elections separately from the 2025 local and senatorial elections provides an opportunity to consolidate the stability achieved through the BARMM peace process,” the mayors said in their position paper.

“This will also support successful decommissioning programs, reducing election-period risks from loose firearms. Basilan, with its history of conflicts fueled by firearm prevalence, stands to benefit significantly from these efforts,” they added.

They maintained that the regional government must prepare comprehensively to ensure the success of the first parliamentary elections.

“A one-year resetting would allow the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to complete necessary post-redistricting preparations once the districting law is amended. It would also address structural requirements and focus on educating the electorate about importance of their participation. To achieve real progress, the election must be peaceful, orderly, and a meaningful exercise of autonomy,” they said.

The mayors added they support the resetting of the elections to give focus on the need to amend the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No.58, which governs the districting of the towns, cities, provinces, and other geographical areas following the Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from BARMM.

They said the resetting of the polls will also give more time to implement critical government structures, ensure comprehensive voter education across the region, and strengthen security measures to ensure a fair, credible, peaceful, and meaningful elections.

“We owe it to our people to make their voices heard, especially in the redistricting process, as the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act lacks provisions on how to allocate seats to complete the 80-member parliament. This issue underscores the need to amend the districting law to ensure fair representation,” the mayors said.