NEWS




25November
The Bangsamoro regional capitol in Cotabato City Philstar.com / John Unson

4 BARMM governors push postponement of 1st Parliamentary polls

MANILA, Philippines — Four governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are pushing for the postponement of the region’s first regular parliamentary elections, a Philstar report said Wednesday.

The four governors in their statement cited the Supreme Court’s recent decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM as a key reason for the proposed postponement of polls. 

Except for Maguindanao Del Sur Gov. Mariam Mangudadatu who is against a postponement,  Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael Sali are signatories to the statement saying that the decision necessitates a reconfiguration of electoral districts and a review of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

If election pushes through under the current circumstances it would compromise the integrity of the electoral process and the principles enshrined in the BOL.

They likewise raised concerns about the equitable representation of the remaining BARMM provinces and the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on the ongoing transition process, the Philstar report said.

The governors are urging Congress to enact legislation postponing the elections to May 11, 2026, believing the delay will allow for “a more comprehensive and inclusive electoral process, the report also said”.