The Bangsamoro flag (From the official website of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
KORONADAL CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — With only 32 days before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2022 national and local elections, civil society organizations across Mindanao on Monday appealed anew to President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the bill that would extend the transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus, said they were still hoping that Mr. Duterte would finally act on the approved bills in Congress to lengthen the life of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to three more years after its scheduled end on June 30 next year and to move the elections for BARMM officials from 2022 to 2025.
“There are 32 days left until the filing of the COCs for the 2022 elections. That’s a very short time but so far, we have not seen the law (that will effectively extend the transition period in the BARMM),” she said.
“If we liken the situation to a basketball game, we are in the last two minutes. So we really need to focus because time is very essential,” she added.