Senate ratifies bicam report on BARMM polls reset
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday evening ratified and approved the bicameral conference committee report on the bill resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to October 2025.
At the chamber’s plenary session, Sen. JV Ejercito presented the agreement made by the bicameral conferees as reflected in the reconciled version of the bill.
“The conferees came to an agreement to set the first regular election of the BARMM on October 13, 2025, and that the next election shall be held and synchronized with the 2028 National Elections and every three years thereafter,” said Ejercito.
“Furthermore, the conference committee members agreed to adopt a provision in the Senate version for the present Bangsamoro Transition Authority to continue as the interim government in the BARMM until their successors are elected and qualified,” he added.
According to the senator, the reconciled bill also mandated the BARMM government to disburse the share of the Province of Sulu in the annual block grant in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and Management.
Article continues after this advertisement“Moreover, it was also agreed that the COMELEC will no longer open the filling of new certificate of candidacies or accept manifestations of intent to participate with a list of nominees, except for the seats allocated to the province of Sulu,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“The candidates who have already filed their certificate of candidacy and the nominees for party representatives included in the certificate of nomination and acceptance of the political parties from November 4 to 9, 2024, shall be automatically considered candidates and nominees,” he added.
The BARMM election was initially proposed to be moved from May 12, 2025, to August 11, 2025. But now, it will be moved to October 13 of the same year.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. 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.
