CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Malacañang is urging the House of Representatives to swiftly pass its version of the bill postponing the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) to September 2026, following the Senate’s approval of the measure.

Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto 'Anton' Lagdameo Jr. said Ferdinand Marcos Jr. considers the BARMM parliamentary elections a top priority.

“The President views this first parliamentary vote as a crucial milestone in strengthening democratic institutions in the region,” Lagdameo said.

He stressed that establishing a duly elected parliament would serve as concrete proof of reinforced autonomy and democratic governance in BARMM. 

The elections, he added, are significant not only for the Bangsamoro people but for the entire country, as they represent a key step in the broader peace process.

The proposal was identified as a priority measure during the recent Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting. 

Lagdameo noted that to speed up its passage and allow sufficient time for election preparations, the President is prepared to certify the bill as urgent if necessary.

The transition from the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority to a fully elected regional parliament, he said, is in line with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which underpins the region’s peace framework.

The Senate earlier passed Senate Bill No. 1823 resetting the elections to the second Monday of September 2026, prompting the Palace to underscore the need for immediate action from the House to enact the measure and begin poll preparations.

For his part, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri described the upcoming elections as a vital test of the strength and stability of the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Long-term regional peace must be anchored on a clear and credible mandate from the people,” Zubiri said, thanking his colleagues for unanimously approving the bill.

He added that a successful election would mark the full transition to a democratically elected regional government.