Senate OKs BARMM polls on October 2025

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to reset the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to October 2025 hurdled the Senate’s third and final reading. 

At the upper chamber’s plenary session, Senate Bill No. 2942 was approved with 18 affirmative votes, one negative, and zero abstention. 

The BARMM election was initially proposed to be moved from May 12, 2025, to August 11, 2025.  

Pursuant to the measure, the next election shall be held and synchronized with the 2028 national elections, and every 3 years thereafter. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos earlier certified the measure as urgent. 

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez confirmed earlier reports on the presidential certification, clarifying that the postponement would allow the Bangsamoro transitional government to “realign its governance structure.”

“It will also ensure that the region’s aspirations for unity, inclusivity, and genuine autonomy are achieved,” he said.