Zubiri warns of possible backlash if Barmm polls postponed

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri warned of a possible “backlash” should the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections in May 2025 be postponed.

In a text message to reporters on Monday, Zubiri recalled how they promised BARMM residents, when the Bangsamoro Transition Authority was extended, that it is “only one extension due to the pandemic where they weren’t able to perform their functions due to the lockdowns.”

“I also know that an extension is not popular with the locally elected leaders and could cause a backlash and therefore we should study that proposal very carefully,” he added.

He said that, as principal author of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, he found it justifiable then, but he emphasized that today is a different story. 

“We promised then during the extension that we would do it only once [so as not] to subdue the real people’s will that can only be determined through an electoral process. Therefore we need to know what their justification is for the extension and if it merits an extension,” said Zubiri. 

“I also know that an extension is not popular with the locally elected leaders and could cause a backlash and therefore we should study that proposal very carefully,” he added. 

His remarks came after Senate President Francis Escudero signified his intent to file a bill to postpone the BARMM parliamentary elections in May 2025 following the recent Supreme Court decision removing the province of Sulu from the region.

Zubiri said he would wait for Escudero’s explanation on the matter.

He, however, noted that due to the Senate’s “tight legislative schedule” due to the budget deliberations and the nearing elections, postponing the BARMM parliamentary polls through a bill “would be a very difficult task to do.”