SENATOR Loren Legarda co-sponsored Senate Bill 1587 seeking to set the date for the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following several postponements.
Legarda, co-chair of the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, said the measure concerns the implementation of the existing peace framework for the Bangsamoro region.
“This is not an ordinary measure, and it does not concern an ordinary election. It sits at the center of our nation’s pursuit of peace, justice, and self-determination for the Bangsamoro people,” she said in her co-sponsorship speech.
She referred to the historical context of the Bangsamoro struggle, stating, “Hindi ganap ang Pilipinas kung wala ang kwento ng Bangsamoro. Nakaukit ito sa ating kasaysayan, humuhubog sa ating kasalukuyan, at tumutukoy sa landas ng ating kinabukasan batay sa kung gaano natin ito tapat na kikilalanin at iingatan.”
Legarda cited the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law as the legal basis for the region’s transition to self-governance and the holding of regular elections.
She noted that the BARMM elections have been postponed four times: originally scheduled for May 2022 under Republic Act No. 11054, rescheduled to May 2025 under Republic Act No. 11593, moved to October 2025 under Republic Act No. 12123, and later adjusted to March 2026 following a Supreme Court directive.
“Ang mga pagpapaliban na ito ay hindi nangyari nang walang dahilan, subalit sinubok nito ang pasensya at nagdudulot ng kawalan ng katiyakan sa ating mamamayang matagal nang naghihintay na ganap na maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga demokratikong karapatan,” she said.
She also acknowledged the role of negotiators, legislators, community leaders, and residents involved in the peace process.
“Malinaw at simple lamang ang papel natin dito ngayon: ang tiyakin na ang eleksyon sa BARMM ay maganap sa pinakamaagang panahon,” she said.
Legarda said the Senate will coordinate with BARMM officials to facilitate the conduct of the first regular elections at the earliest feasible date and in accordance with election standards.
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