National

SPEAKER DY WELCOMES BARMM POLL RESET; BACKS STRONGER REGIONAL TRANSITION

admin March 28, 2026

SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Thursday welcomed the signing into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the measure resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), calling it a crucial step toward a more stable and credible democratic transition in the region.

Republic Act No. 12317 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1823 and House Bill No. 8220, which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, on March 17, 2026.

The newly enacted law moves the first BARMM parliamentary elections to September 2026 and aligns subsequent polls with the national and local elections beginning May 2031.

“The signing of this law strengthens the foundations of the Bangsamoro political system and ensures that the first regular parliamentary elections are conducted in a credible, orderly, and well-prepared manner,” Dy said.

“The goal is to implement the transition properly. We are working to ensure that when the Bangsamoro people choose their leaders, it is under a system that is ready, credible, and fully prepared to carry their mandate.”

The Speaker from Isabela said the extension of the transition period will allow BARMM institutions to further strengthen governance mechanisms and complete key preparations ahead of the first regular parliamentary elections.

Dy said the law also ensures continuity in governance by allowing the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to remain in place until duly elected officials assume office.

“Wala pong puwang ang pagkaantala sa serbisyong kailangan ng mamamayan. Tinitiyak ng batas na ito na tuluy-tuloy po ang maayos na pamamahala habang inihahanda natin ang isang makasaysayang halalan para sa Bangsamoro,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of synchronizing future BARMM elections with the national and local electoral calendar to promote efficiency and consistency in governance.

The Speaker thanked President Marcos and members of both chambers of Congress for the swift passage and enactment of the measure.

“Ang kapayapaan sa Bangsamoro ay bunga ng mahabang pakikipaglaban at pakikipagdiyalogo. Responsibilidad nating tiyakin na ang susunod na yugto nito ay matibay, mapayapa, at tunay na kinakatawan ang boses ng mamamayan.”