Manila, Philippines – September 26, 2024
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri reaffirmed on Wednesday that the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) must push through in May 2025, as mandated by law. He emphasized that any further extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which currently acts as the region’s parliament, would be a violation of Republic Act 11593.
Speaking at the “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” forum, Zubiri highlighted the legal provisions that outline the BTA’s term limit, stating, “The postponement of the BTA was legislated by law. And very clearly, the law states that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will no longer exist beyond 2025. A new Bangsamoro parliament should be in place.”
Zubiri expressed concern that any attempt to delay the transition could breach the law. “I feel it would be a clear violation of the law to allow the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority by one more term. The law is clear that the next elections must be synchronized with the national and local elections in May 2025,” he added.
Push for Postponement Amid Legal Complications
Despite Zubiri’s firm stance, some members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority have voiced concerns about proceeding with the elections next year, citing the need for amendments to the region’s parliamentary districts. BARMM Parliament Member Michael Midtimbang, who represents Maguindanao del Sur, recently filed resolutions calling for a postponement of the elections.
Midtimbang’s call comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that excludes the province of Sulu from BARMM, complicating the region’s parliamentary structure. Resolutions 631 and 632, filed on September 20, 2024, urge a delay in the parliamentary elections to amend Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 58, the legislative measure that established the region’s parliamentary districts.
Midtimbang argues that the exclusion of Sulu necessitates a redistribution of the seven parliamentary seats initially allocated to the province. “Postponing the elections would give the regional government the necessary time to ensure fair and proportional representation for the remaining territories in BARMM,” Midtimbang explained. He stressed that accurate districting is essential to reflect the diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic needs of the region.
Legal and Electoral Challenges
The Bangsamoro parliament, as defined under BAA No. 58, is composed of 80 members—40 party-list representatives, 32 district representatives, and eight sectoral representatives. With Sulu now excluded from BARMM following the SC’s decision, the law requires revisions to redistribute the province’s parliamentary seats across the remaining five provinces and cities under BARMM’s jurisdiction.
In his resolutions, Midtimbang also called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to further extend the filing period for certificates of candidacy (COCs), which has already been adjusted in response to the Supreme Court ruling. The filing period was initially scheduled for October 1-8, but has now been moved to November 4-9, 2024. Midtimbang, however, believes more time may be needed to accommodate potential changes to the parliamentary districts.
“Additional time for this process will allow more potential candidates to participate, ensuring that the region’s diverse population is adequately represented,” Midtimbang said.
A Pivotal Election for BARMM
The upcoming 2025 regional elections hold significant importance as they will be the first time citizens of BARMM directly vote for their parliament. The elections mark a critical step in the region’s journey toward self-governance, which was established through the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) following decades of conflict between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The BOL, enacted in July 2018, created BARMM as a political entity with its own governmental structure, aimed at fostering peace, development, and self-determination in the region. While the majority of provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) ratified the BOL, Sulu voted against it but was still included in BARMM’s jurisdiction until the recent SC ruling.
Midtimbang’s proposals to delay the elections reflect broader concerns about the complexities of BARMM’s governance and electoral system, particularly in light of these significant legal developments. With a population spread across various provinces and numerous ethno-linguistic groups, ensuring equitable representation remains a key challenge for the region’s democratic processes.
Navigating a Delicate Political Transition
As BARMM transitions from the interim BTA government to a democratically elected parliament, the calls for postponement could add complexity to the delicate political process. The BTA has played a vital role in stabilizing the region during the transition period, but many believe that the time has come for full democratic governance to take root.
Zubiri and other national leaders have reiterated the importance of adhering to the legal framework set by Republic Act 11593. “The 2025 elections are crucial for BARMM’s continued progress and self-determination. We must follow the law to ensure that the region can elect its own parliament and continue the path toward lasting peace and development,” Zubiri concluded.
As the region prepares for its first-ever parliamentary elections, the decisions made in the coming months will shape BARMM’s future and its journey toward inclusive and representative governance. The region now stands at a crossroads, with stakeholders from both sides carefully weighing the best course of action for the Bangsamoro people’s aspirations.
