Maguindanao del Norte mayors back move to postpone BARMM elections

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MANILA, Philippines — Local chief executives from various municipalities in the province of Maguindanao del Norte backed the proposal to postpone the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.

The call for a one-year delay aims to address crucial legal and administrative challenges, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that excluded the province of Sulu from the BARMM.

The move was backed by the United Bangsamoro Development Council (UBDC) led by Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Umbra Dilangalen. The UBDC said that the postponement is necessary to ensure that the electoral process is thorough, fair, and not rushed, especially in light of the significant changes brought about by the court’s decision on Sulu’s exclusion from the autonomous region.

The UBDC signed a manifesto backing Senate Bill 2862 authored by Senate President Francis Escudero. The bill seeks to move the first-ever parliamentary elections in BARMM, which were originally slated for 2025 to 2026.

The manifesto was signed by the mayors and other local officials from various municipalities in Maguindanao del Norte, including Northern Kabuntalan, Mother Kabuntalan, Parang, Barira, Matanog, Sultan Mastura, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, and North Upi. These leaders underscored the importance of allowing more time to adjust to the evolving political landscape of the BARMM.

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Bangsamoro Parliament member Teng Ambolodto expressed his support for the bill. Ambolodto’s statement added to the growing momentum for the postponement, reflecting widespread concern about the readiness of the region’s political infrastructure for the upcoming elections.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), headed by Antonio Lagdameo Jr., has also voiced its support to the move to delay the elections. OSAP issued a position paper in favor of Senate Bill 2862 and House Bill 11034, noting the need for additional time to resolve “institutional and statutory issues” surrounding the electoral process.

According to OSAP, there are several critical areas that need to be addressed before elections can be held, including the redistricting of constituencies to account for the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM. This would require a new enabling law to ensure proportional representation among the remaining districts in the region.

“There is a need to study all the legal implications arising from the Supreme Court decision on the province of Sulu and revisit the legal infrastructure to ensure proportionate and equitable representation within the BARMM and prevent the disenfranchisement of voters,” OSAP said.

One of the key issues driving the call for a postponement is the recent creation of eight new municipalities within the BARMM. This development, along with the Supreme Court ruling, has prompted Congress to create new laws to accommodate changes in the territorial boundaries and political representation in the region.

In September, the BARMM Parliament passed Resolution 499, which called for the establishment of a new province named “Kutawato.” This move further complicates the process of organizing the parliamentary elections, as the region’s political divisions and district boundaries will need to be redrawn to reflect these changes.

The proposal to delay the BARMM elections has garnered broad support from various political figures and organizations. Those backing the postponement include House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Adiong, and key factions within the Moro National Liberation Front including the Sema faction. The Bangsamoro Party has also endorsed the proposal to delay the elections.

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