The recent approval by the Philippine Senate to reset the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to September 14, 2026, has sparked widespread discussions. 

Supporters, including Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., see this move as a strategic step to ensure a credible and inclusive transition, aligned with the region’s peace agreements. They emphasize that holding elections in 2026 will help solidify the legitimacy of the new government and promote stability in Mindanao.

 

However, amidst these developments, a concerned Moro lawyer, Atty. Badrodin Mangindra, has issued an open letter addressing the implications of such postponements. He underscores that the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is far more than a legislative act; it embodies decades of peace efforts, the trust of the Bangsamoro people, and the region’s right to genuine autonomy. The law, ratified in 2019, originally mandated synchronized elections with the 2022 national polls—a crucial element that should not be altered without proper legal and constitutional processes.

 

Mangindra highlights that the recent postponements through legislative amendments—first to 2025, then to October 2025—were carried out without the necessary plebiscite, violating constitutional protections of the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination. He stresses that any last-minute changes to the election schedule or to the structure of government without a proper plebiscite undermine the integrity of the BOL, and by extension, the peace process itself.

 

While acknowledging the importance of holding elections and securing a democratic mandate, Mangindra cautions that these processes must adhere strictly to the constitutional and legal requirements for the sake of legitimacy and the future stability of Bangsamoro. He advocates for the elections to be synchronized with the national polls in May 2028—believing this to be the most credible and constitutionally sound timeframe, especially considering the pending enactment of vital legislation like the Bangsamoro Revenue Code and the current composition of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

 

He warns that prematurely conducting elections while incumbent officials remain in office risks undermining the peace process, echoing Senator Zubiri’s concerns about the “political monsters” emerging from rushed decisions. To uphold the principles of genuine self-governance, Mangindra insists the need to prioritize the rule of law and constitutional protections—particularly the right of the Bangsamoro people to a meaningful, fair, and legally sound electoral process.

 

As discussions continue, Mangindra calls for dialogue and cooperation to ensure that the rights enshrined in the BOL are preserved and that the region’s democratic transition proceeds smoothly, with the first parliamentary elections held in May 2028. Such a timeline, he argues, will uphold the integrity of the peace process and respect the wishes of the Bangsamoro people for a genuine and lasting autonomous government.