A peaceful rally led by various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was held outside the Senate on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, calling for an extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) mandate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2025 to 2028. The event brought together groups such as the Federation of Bangsamoro Coordinating Councils of the Philippines, Mindanao Peoples Caucus, Civil Society Organization Movement for Moral Governance, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and Noorus Salam National Women Council Inc. (NSNWC), among others.
The rallyists emphasized that postponing the elections in BARMM would allow for the proper implementation of provisions under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and provide ample time to address pressing issues in the region before the first parliamentary elections are held.
According to Professor Abdulhadie Daguit, president of the Federation of Bangsamoro Coordinating Councils of the Philippines, extending the BTA’s mandate is crucial to ensuring the effective execution of projects and reforms that will strengthen governance in the BARMM. The groups believe that the extension is key to achieving the Bangsamoro Government’s goals of peace and development in the region.
Parallel Discussions on Barangay and SK Elections
Meanwhile, the Senate is deliberating on Senate Bill No. 2816, which seeks to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from December 2025 to May 2029, effectively granting a six-year term to current barangay officials.
Senator Robin Padilla, during the discussions, underscored the importance of avoiding another unconstitutional delay in the elections, referencing the previous postponements of the Barangay and SK polls in 2018, which were only conducted in October 2023. Padilla urged his colleagues to learn from past missteps to uphold electoral integrity.
Bangsamoro Delegation Meets Speaker Romualdez
In a related development, a delegation from BARMM, led by Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, paid a courtesy visit to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. The delegation included key officials such as Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Speaker Pangalian Balindong, Floor Leader Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Minister Aida Silongan, Deputy Floor Leader Mary Ann Arnado, and BTA Member Eddie Mapag Alih.
The visit highlighted the ongoing dialogue between the Bangsamoro Government and national leaders to ensure smooth governance and coordination in advancing the region’s legislative priorities.
As discussions on both electoral issues and the transition mandate unfold, stakeholders across sectors are urging for solutions that prioritize inclusivity, governance reforms, and sustainable peace in BARMM and beyond.