Senate ratifies resetting of Bangsamoro polls

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri urged future members of the Bangsamoro Parliament to maximize their mandate, following the Senate’s ratification of the bicameral conference committee report resetting the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The ratification marks one of the final legislative steps in resetting the first BARMM parliamentary elections to September this year, while aligning succeeding elections with national and local polls starting May 2031 and every three years thereafter.

“Now, I do have just one plea for whoever gets seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament this year: they have to make the most of their five-year term to help their region.," said Zubiri, the principal author and sponsor of the Senate measure.

the long-delayed elections fulfills a key promise of the Bangsamoro Organic Law—the right of the Bangsamoro people to choose their own leaders.

“To our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, ito na po ang hinihintay ninyo. The promise of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was always to recognize the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination, and that includes the people’s right to choose their own leaders,” Zubiri stressed.

“After years and years of delays, here it is, finally, it will happen. As Eid’l Fitr approaches, I hope this stands as a meaningful gift to our brothers and sisters in the BARMM, the long-awaited chance for them to choose their own leaders and help shape the future of their region,” he added.

Zubiri said the bicameral version not only moved the election date but also streamlined the timeline and clarified when elected officials would assume office, helping establish a more stable electoral cycle.

“In the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, we have simplified the BARMM election timeline by setting the first election to September this year, and the subsequent elections to coincide with the national and local elections on May 2031, and every three years thereafter,” Zubiri stressed.

“Sa ganitong paraan, mababawasan po ang gastos natin sa BARMM election, dahil maisasabay na ito sa national and local elections, as we have always intended in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Hindi na po natin kailangang hanapan pa ng budget ang COMELEC para makapag-hold ng standalone elections para lamang sa BARMM,” Zubiri pointed out.

The report also settled the details of when parliamentary officials will take office—on October 30 this year, and beginning 2031, on June 30, in line with other elected officials.

“We have also settled the particularities of the assumption of office of parliamentary officials, specifying that they will take office on October 30 this year. By 2031, they will take office on June 30, same as most other elected officials in that same election year,” Zubiri noted.

He said the responsibility now shifts to those who will run for office, stressing that the establishment of the Bangsamoro Parliament must be matched by capable leadership.

“Ginawa na po natin lahat. We’ve done our best. Politically, we have delivered, as a Senate, as a Congress, and as a nation. And now it’s time that the people elect true leaders who love their region. Hindi na pamumulitika. Kasi ito na po ang pagkakataon na magkakaroon ng first Parliament ang Bangsamoro region within a presidential system of government,” Zubiri declared.

Zubiri emphasized that the first Parliament carries a historic responsibility to lay the groundwork for long-term governance and development in the region.

“They are getting a rare opportunity that will never happen again, so I really hope that they use this time to lay down the foundations for genuine, long-term development in the Bangsamoro region,” he stated.

“Hindi na po ito period of transition. Lampas na tayo doon. The Bangsamoro Parliament is now in a position to look ahead, and really start investing in a future of lasting peace and prosperity for the region,” he continued.

Zubiri also thanked lawmakers from both chambers for supporting the measure, framing it as part of a broader effort to sustain peace and development in Mindanao.

-Paraluman News