QUEZON CITY — “Whether Sulu is part of the BARMM or not, they will always be part of the Bangsamoro peace process.”

This was the assurance made by Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., on Wednesday, November 28, following the Supreme Court’s final decision to exclude the island province of Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Galvez made the remarks during the second day of the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reform’s hearing on the proposal to reset the BARMM’s first parliamentary elections from May 2025 to May 2026.

“The role of the Tausug people in sparking the Bangsamoro people’s quest for self-determination is an undeniable part of the Bangsamoro’s history,” he said.

“The dividends of peace being enjoyed by Bangsamoro provinces will likewise be felt by neighboring areas, including the province of Sulu,” Galvez added.

In a position paper read online by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim during the hearing, he shared that the BTA adopted Resolution Number 505, requesting both houses of Congress “to extend the transition period from 2025 to 2028.”

He explained that postponing the first regular Parliamentary election in the BARMM will give the Bangsamoro government sufficient time to resolve legal issues resulting from the Supreme Court’s decision to exclude the province of Sulu from the Bangsamoro region.

“The BTA remains committed to fulfill its functions during the transition period, including enacting legislations that serve as the foundation for establishing a meaningful system of self-governance – one that aligns with the Constitution and respects national sovereignty,” Ebrahim said.

Nur-Ainee Tan Lim, Deputy Minister of the BARMM’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and Head Secretariat of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Peace Coordinating Committee, emphasized the need for more time “to educate the voters.”

“How can we say they will be able to choose the leaders that they truly want, that would truly represent their interests, when they don’t even know what they will be voting for,” Lim told the members of the House Committee.

She stated: “We strongly support the election simply because we need to give back to the people.”

Deputy BTA Parliament Speaker Omar Yasser Sema re-echoed Ebrahim’s views, saying, “We fully support the Chief Minister’s position where the GPH (Government of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro government can meet,” to discuss the deferment of the BARMM elections.

Atty. Randolph Parcasio, spokesperson of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder and a member of the BTA, highlighted the significance of the upcoming BARMM elections in sustaining the gains of peace and development in the Bangsamoro.

“We recognize the significance of the upcoming first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, and the critical role this election plays in our pursuit of lasting peace and governance,” Parcasio said.

He pointed out that should there be a postponement of the elections, the MNLF believes that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should continue to lead the Bangsamoro government “because we honor the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).”

“We recognize the BARMM as a critical and partial implementation of the 1996 peace agreement. The MNLF reaffirms its solidarity with the MILF, united in our shared mission to uplift and serve our people,” Parcasio said.

“At this juncture, a postponement is not merely a preference; it is a necessity,” Parcasio said. ###