Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (PNA file photo)
The postponement of the inaugural parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is viewed as a positive move, offering the regional government extra time to tackle urgent legal issues regarding Sulu’s exclusion, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on Saturday.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12123 into law, shifting the BARMM polls from May 12 to October 13 of this year.
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. remarked, “The enactment of RA 12123 underscores the Marcos Jr. administration’s steadfast commitment to honoring the national government’s obligations under all peace agreements, while also promoting sustainable development and lasting peace for our Bangsamoro community.”
Galvez also highlighted the law’s provision that permits the current BARMM government to continue disbursing Sulu’s share of the region’s Block Grant for 2025. He explained that this arrangement would enable Sulu to implement its programs in line with the guidelines established by the Department of Budget and Management.
It is important to note that in September, the Supreme Court ruled to exclude Sulu province from BARMM, citing the province’s earlier rejection of the Bangsamoro Organic Law during the 2019 plebiscite.
“OPAPRU, along with its peace partners, stands with the Bangsamoro people as we prepare for the upcoming BARMM parliamentary election—a significant milestone in the ongoing peace process,” Galvez stated. He further added that the rescheduling of the elections allows both the national and Bangsamoro governments to focus on ensuring that this crucial political exercise is conducted in a peaceful, credible, and orderly manner.
The decision to postpone the elections was influenced by several factors, including the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM, an unresolved petition challenging the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro electoral code of 2023, and a request from the Commission on Elections for additional preparation time.