House OKs on 2nd reading bill postponing first BARMM regular polls

CONGRESS / MAY 23, 2016
A worker cleans at the plenary hall House of Representatives, Batasan, Quezon City, in this phot taken on May 23, 2016. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on second reading the measure seeking to postpone the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and rescheduling it in 2025.

During Monday’s session, the lower chamber approved via voice voting House Bill No. 10121 which amends Republic Act No. 1104 or the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

Under the measure, the first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government shall be held synchronized with the 2025 national elections. The Bangsamoro elections was originally scheduled in 2022.

According to the bill, the postponement seeks to give BARMM time to “strengthen its foundations for a stronger regional government and economy.”

The postponement, the bill states, will also allow the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to “lay better and sturdier foundations and successfully translate the efforts on the gains from the peace agreement into lasting and sustainable peace not only in Mindanao but for the whole Philippines.”

A counterpart measure has been approved on third and final reading in the Senate.

JPV