The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has firmly stated that the first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on September 14, 2026, will proceed without delay, as preparations continue at full pace. Comelec Chairman George Garcia made the announcement during the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election Forum at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City, emphasizing that there is no legal basis for another postponement.
No Legal Grounds for Postponement
Garcia stressed that the elections have already been postponed four times in the past. He noted that no Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court exists, and no law mandates further delay. “Wala na kayong dapat isa-isip kung hindi tuloy na tuloy na ang eleksyon sa September 14,” Garcia said, urging the public to focus on the upcoming vote. He added, “As long as the Comelec is concerned, wala na pong makakapigil sa halalan sa Bangsamoro sa September 14. Tuloy na tuloy po ito.”
Pending Legislative Measures Under Congress Review
While Garcia acknowledged pending legislative proposals related to the BPE, he clarified that any decision on those measures rests solely with Congress. “Bagamat alam naman po namin na meron pong mga naka-pending na mga panukalang batas, yan naman po ay diskresyon ng ating Kongreso. Sila naman po ang may final say,” he said. The Comelec will continue preparations regardless of congressional deliberations.
Full-Scale Preparations Underway
According to Garcia, the Comelec, along with government security forces and partner agencies, is sustaining full-scale preparations to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process. “Si Comelec, kasama ang ating security forces, kasama ang iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan ay tuloy-tuloy lamang po ang aming ginagawang paghahanda,” he stated. Election and security officials have been conducting command conferences, coordination meetings, and operational planning activities across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) to strengthen electoral security, logistics, and voter readiness.
Key Milestone in Bangsamoro Transition
The 2026 BPE is widely regarded as a critical milestone in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Voters will elect members of the Bangsamoro Parliament under the region’s parliamentary form of government, marking a defining step in Barmm’s transition from an interim governing arrangement to a fully functioning autonomous parliamentary government. With no official order suspending the elections, government agencies are increasingly focused on ensuring the successful conduct of the polls.
