COTABATO CITY — The Senate has passed a landmark measure resetting the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and establishing a unique 56-month term for its first set of elected leaders.
- Election Date: The first-ever automated BARMM parliamentary elections are now scheduled for the second Monday of September 2026.
- Term of Office: Those elected will assume office on October 30, 2026, and serve until June 2031. This 56-month (4 years and 8 months) term was specifically designed to ensure that future regional elections are synchronized with the Philippine national and local election schedule.
- Unanimous Approval: The bill, authored by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, was approved with a 21-0 vote on Monday.
The elections were originally set for October 31, 2025, but were postponed due to:
- Legal Challenges: The Supreme Court declared the creation of several parliamentary districts in the region unconstitutional.
- Implementation Timeline: It was deemed impossible to reorganize and conduct the polls by the previously suggested March 30, 2026, date.
The upcoming election will fill 80 seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament:
- 40 seats: Party representatives (elected at large).
- 32 seats: District representatives.
- 8 seats: Sectoral representatives (including youth, women, traditional leaders, ulama, non-Moro indigenous peoples, and settler communities).
- Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua: Welcomed the bill as a “crucial step” toward a full democratic transition from the interim government.
- Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.: Praised the Senate for keeping the peace process on track, stating the reset ensures a “legally sound” and “inclusive” democratic exercise.
- Civil Society: While supportive of a clear timeline, local groups emphasized the need for no further delays so that the Bangsamoro people can finally exercise their sovereign will.