PASAY CITY — Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. on Friday, January 30, welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s request to Senate to fast-track the passage of legislation resetting the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections from its original date on May 12, 2025.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) is very pleased following the issuance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s certification to reset the first parliamentary BARMM elections as urgent to the Senate and House of Representatives,” Galvez said.

According to the peace adviser, the President’s letter to the Senate is anchored on his steadfast commitment to push forward, sustain, and build on the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Time and again, President Marcos has declared that the peace process in the Bangsamoro is the cornerstone of his administration’s peace agenda. He has not wavered in his commitment,” Galvez said.

He added that the President’s guidance is in line with the findings of extensive consultations conducted by OPAPRU, which indicated that peace stakeholders not only in the Bangsamoro but throughout the country favored the re-scheduling of the BARMM elections.

“Based on studies and consultations with our peace partners, there is a groundswell of support for the resetting of the BARMM elections. This means that we have the backing of virtually all stakeholders,” Galvez said.

During the public hearings conducted by the Senate and House of Representatives on the proposal to reset the Bangsamoro elections, the OPAPRU has raised key concerns why this is the best course of action that needs to be taken.

“It is better to act right instead of fast-tracking the conduct of the BARMM elections, which could result in issues that may have adverse repercussions on the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said, quoting the President’s directive.

“By resetting the elections, we shall be providing both the National and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governments more time to focus their efforts in fulfilling the commitments they have made under all signed Bangsamoro Peace Agreements,” he explained.

Galvez also stressed the need for the Bangsamoro government to amend key legislation such as its Electoral Code and Local Government Code so that they will align with the Supreme Court’s ruling excluding the province of Sulu from the BARMM.

“Instituting these amendments will take time. This is the reason why giving the Bangsamoro government more time by virtue of the BARMM election’s postponement is crucial. We have to ensure that all legal issues are addressed,” he said.

During plenary interpellations last January 27 on Senate Bill No. 2942, which seeks to reset the first BARMM elections from May 12, 2025 to August 11 this year, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, declared that peace is indispensable in bringing greater economic growth, development and stability in Mindanao.

“Now that we have already experienced relative peace in Mindanao, now is the time for us to concentrate on putting the different instruments, different factors that are needed for development,” Ejercito said.

For its part, the House of Representatives has proposed resetting the BARMM elections to May 11, 2026 through House Bill No. 11144.
The Supreme Court’s decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM has left seven seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament vacant.

This situation could lead to the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters in Sulu, stated Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri during the hearing.

The Senate has already ended its interpellation on the bill postponing the BARMM elections and must pass legislation before adjourning on February 7.

If the Senate approves the committee’s proposal to reschedule the Bangsamoro elections, a bicameral conference committee will be held to reconcile the differing provisions between the Senate and House versions.###