By Gabriel Kim Leal
(November 4, 2024) – Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero on Monday introduced a bill seeking to delay the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections until 2026, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that removed Sulu from the region.
Escudero noted that the proposal aligns with Malacañang’s request to push back the elections, giving officials time to address the structural adjustments needed after Sulu’s exclusion.
“Importanteng magawa ‘yan para mabigyan ng notipikasyon na ang ating mga kababayan dun sa BARMM kaugnay ng balak ng Kongreso na ipagpaliban ang eleksyon at ang pangunahing dahilan ay ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema kaugnay ng lalawigan ng Sulu,” said Escudero in a statement.
BARMM’s first parliamentary election is slated for May 12, 2025.
Escudero, however, stressed that the Supreme Court’s decision has introduced significant adjustments to certian laws, particularly the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024.
“This ruling may require a substantial correction of existing laws, particularly Republic Act No. 11054, and the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024 (BAA No. 58, 2024), referring to the allocation of the statutory mandated eighty (80) seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament,” stressed Escudero.
To date, BARMM’s parliament allocates 80 seats across 32 districts, with seven of these seats designated to Sulu.
Escudero clarified the proposed bill solely amends the election date.
“’Yung panukalang batas walang ibang laman. Walang binabago sa BARMM law. Petsa lamang ng eleksyon binabago para sa susunod na taon,” added Escudero.
Escudero likewise noted the potential challenges related to BARMM’s recent establishment of a new province, Kutawato, in the Special Geographic Area.
This reorganization, which consolidates eight municipalities from North Cotabato, may require further redistricting to maintain fair representation.
Escudero also addressed concerns that certain barangays in South Cotabato, which opted to join BARMM during the plebiscite, currently lack formal representation in Congress or an assigned province.
“The creation of a new province necessitates the creation of a legislative district so as not to disenfranchise the voters of the eight affected municipalities,” said the senator.
The Commission on Elections said it will continue to accept candidacies for the 2025 BARMM elections until November 9 despite the filing of the bill.
“Gusto nating ipakita na hindi naman nagpapaapekto ang COMELEC sa mga maaaring mai-file na ganyan… Hangga’t walang batas, nandoon ang paghahanda ng COMELEC,” poll body chairman George Garcia said.
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