ZAMBOANGA CITY — Voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) should continue preparing for the historic parliamentary elections on Sept. 14, 2026, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there is currently no legal basis to postpone the polls.

Speaking at the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election Forum in Zamboanga City on June 23, Comelec Chairman George Garcia assured the public that preparations for the region's first parliamentary elections are moving forward despite pending proposals seeking changes to the schedule.

“Wala na kayong dapat isa-isip kung hindi tuloy na tuloy na ang eleksyon sa September 14,” Garcia said.

Garcia noted that the Bangsamoro elections have already been postponed four times and stressed that no Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued by the Supreme Court to stop the conduct of the vote.

“As long as the COMELEC is concerned, wala na pong makakapigil sa halalan sa Bangsamoro sa September 14. Tuloy na tuloy po ito,” he said.

While bills related to the elections remain pending, Garcia said any decision to amend or defer the polls rests with Congress. The ongoing legislative debate in chambers has intensified regional political friction.

This pushback grows more pronounced as Critics oppose moves that could delay BARMM polls, arguing that further deferments compromise democratic stability. In response, the poll body maintains full administrative momentum regardless of external pressure.

“Bagamat alam naman po namin na meron pong mga naka-pending na mga panukalang batas, yan naman po ay diskresyon ng ating Kongreso. Sila naman po ang may final say,” he added.

For BARMM voters, the Comelec chief's assurance means they can proceed with checking their voter information, learning about the parliamentary system, and preparing to participate in what is considered a major milestone in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. You may also like Macacua defends independent bid after suspension as BIAF Chief of Staff.

Comelec, together with security forces and partner agencies, will continue election preparations to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible vote on Sept. 14.