Bangsamoro Election Delay Sparks Senate-House Standoff Over Peace Process Implementation
The path toward lasting peace in Mindanao continues to encounter significant delays, with the promised historic vote for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) facing yet another postponement. Originally scheduled for May 2025 as the final step in the region's political transition, this deadline has effectively been abandoned, leaving the Bangsamoro people waiting once again for a new date to mark on their calendars.
Divergent Legislative Proposals Create Political Impasse
Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri has taken legislative action by filing bills to reschedule the election to March 30, 2026. His position emphasizes strict adherence to legal requirements, noting that this date complies with the Supreme Court's directive that polls must occur "not later than March 31, 2026." Zubiri's approach prioritizes constitutional compliance and aims to prevent any potential legal challenges to the election results.
However, the House of Representatives presents a contrasting perspective through House Bill No. 7236, filed by Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong. This legislation proposes September 28, 2026 as the new election date, citing practical considerations that have emerged from recent developments in the region.
Complex Logistical Challenges Demand Careful Resolution
The exclusion of Sulu from BARMM has created substantial administrative complications that require thorough resolution before elections can proceed. This development resulted in the sudden disappearance of seven parliamentary seats, necessitating comprehensive adjustments to electoral infrastructure.
- Electoral district boundaries must be completely redrawn
- Voting precincts require reorganization
- Automated election machines need extensive reconfiguration
- Voter registration systems must be updated accordingly
Representative Adiong argues that attempting to complete these complex procedures by March would invite potential electoral problems, while a September timeline would provide the Commission on Elections with adequate preparation time to conduct a credible process.
Peace Process Implementation Hangs in the Balance
This legislative standoff raises important questions about honoring the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which was signed on March 27, 2014 as the final peace settlement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The agreement serves as the foundational blueprint for BARMM and includes specific provisions for concluding the peace process through an "Exit Agreement."
The CAB outlines two parallel implementation tracks that must be completed before the peace process can formally conclude:
- Normalization Track: Involves decommissioning MILF combatants and facilitating their transition to civilian life
- Political Track: Requires ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and establishment of a fully functioning, elected Bangsamoro Parliament
The First Regular Election represents a mandatory milestone within the Political Track. Until a regular parliament is properly elected with all seats appropriately allocated—including those affected by Sulu's exclusion—the political transition remains technically incomplete. Consequently, the Exit Agreement cannot be finalized, keeping the entire peace process in perpetual implementation status rather than reaching conclusion.
Balancing Timelines Against Electoral Integrity
While repeated delays understandably test the patience of the Moro people and postpone full decommissioning of forces, rushing a flawed election would represent a more serious violation of the peace agreement's spirit. The CAB promises meaningful self-governance, which cannot be achieved through unconstitutional districts or electoral processes that disenfranchise voters.
The current delay, though frustrating, may represent a necessary compromise to ensure the election's credibility and legitimacy. A properly conducted election that stands on solid legal ground ultimately serves the peace process better than a hastily organized vote vulnerable to challenges and controversies.
Urgent Need for Resolution and Forward Movement
The Senate and House must reconcile their differing positions promptly, as prolonged uncertainty generates anxiety within communities that have waited decades for genuine autonomy. While the Bangsamoro people have demonstrated remarkable patience, their willingness to accept further delays has limits.
The Philippine government faces the critical task of ensuring this extension represents the final postponement before elections proceed. Both legislative chambers must find common ground that balances legal requirements with practical realities, allowing the transition to conclude and the CAB's promises to finally materialize into tangible reality for the people of Mindanao.
