Barmm parties oppose poll postponement, cite Constitutional concerns

SEVERAL regional political parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) have filed an objection to the proposed postponement of the region’s first elections, calling the move unconstitutional.

Their position was outlined in an eight-page joint statement submitted to this paper.

The Bangsamoro Grand Coalition (BGC), Al Ittihad-Ungaya sa Kwagib Nu Bangsamoro (Al Ittihad-UKB), and Serbisyong Inklusibo-Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) opposed Senate Bill No. 2862, filed by Senate President Francis Escudero, and House Bill No. 11034, introduced by Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers. These bills propose delaying the Barmm elections, originally set for May 2025.

The parties argued that postponement would violate provisions of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) and the Constitution.

“We concur with Senate President Escudero that Section 8, Article IV, and Section 3, Article X of the BEC of 2023 are unconstitutional,” the statement reads in part.

They emphasized that certificates of candidacy (CoCs) filed from November 4 to 9, 2024, should remain valid and that no new filings should be allowed if elections are postponed.

The position paper also highlighted constitutional prohibitions against civil service officers engaging in partisan politics, stating that government officials who filed CoCs should be deemed automatically resigned from their posts.

Citing Section 66 of the Omnibus Election Code, the coalition argued that appointive officials in Barmm who filed CoCs should not retain their positions or be reappointed to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) if elections are delayed.

The group also proposed enhancing the Commission on Elections’ automated systems to ensure transparency and accuracy, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to credible and peaceful elections in Barmm.

“We believe that the approval of these amendments will uphold fairness and the equal application of laws,” the statement concluded.

The signatories of the position paper include Barmm Grand Coalition President Abdulrahman Rubbil S. Mangudadatu, SIAP Chairman Majul U. Gandamra, Bangsamoro People’s Party Chairman Haron Datumanong Sakilan, and Al Ittihad Secretary General Mohajeran K. Balayman.