Activists Push to Move BARMM Election Date
A group of Maranao activists has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress leaders to postpone the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections. They want the elections to be synchronized with the country’s local and national polls, ensuring a more unified electoral process.
Abulkhair Alibasa, lead convener of the Convergence of Bangsamoro Advocates in the Ranaw Region (ConBARR), emphasized that adjusting the election schedule would prevent legal complications similar to those experienced with the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Local leaders noted that the BOL was ratified in 2019, but a Supreme Court ruling last year declared the inclusion of Sulu province unconstitutional, causing legal confusion.
Legal Challenges and Election Timeline Issues
Republic Act No. 12123 recently moved BARMM’s elections from May 12 to October 13 this year. However, former Moro Islamic Liberation Front military spokesperson Mustapha “Eid” Kabalu filed a petition at the Supreme Court to nullify this measure. Kabalu argues that the law shortens the Bangsamoro parliament members’ term, which Alibasa’s group also supports, calling it “patently unconstitutional.”
Under the current law, officials elected on October 13 would take office on October 30 and serve only until June 30, 2028. This is four months less than the constitutionally mandated three-year term. A source noted that Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman shared these concerns during the House of Representatives’ discussions earlier this year.
The Case for Synchronizing Elections in BARMM
Alibasa stressed that the only constitutionally compliant way to conduct BARMM elections is in May 2028, alongside the national elections. ConBARR’s position paper submitted to the Office of the President highlighted that elections should uphold justice, readiness, credibility, and legitimacy. They argued it is better to postpone elections than to proceed with a flawed schedule that undermines the Constitution and the BOL.
Background: Election Postponements and Redistricting Challenges
The BOL originally scheduled BARMM’s first parliamentary elections for May 2022, concurrent with the general elections. Congress later postponed this to May 2025 to allow the interim parliament time to establish parliamentary districts across the region. The second delay aimed to address the Supreme Court’s ruling that removed Sulu from BARMM, requiring reallocation of parliamentary districts.
Despite these efforts, redistricting remains unresolved. The amended bill, expected for plenary discussion on August 7 during the special session, still awaits final approval. Local officials have voiced concerns about fair district seat distribution, especially Basilan’s governor, Mujiv Hataman, who lamented that his province seems underrepresented despite qualifying for five seats based on the 2024 census.
Distribution of BARMM Parliamentary Seats
The BARMM parliament consists of 80 seats: 40 for party representatives, 32 for district representatives, and 8 for sectoral representatives. The ongoing debate over district seat allocation highlights the complexities faced in ensuring equitable representation in BARMM’s evolving political landscape.
Looking Ahead: The Importance of Proper Scheduling
Alibasa believes that a third postponement would provide enough time to finalize redistricting and address concerns from provincial leaders. Synchronizing BARMM elections with the national polls would not only comply with constitutional requirements but also enhance the legitimacy of the electoral process in the region.
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