Move BARMM polls, Congress urged
PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez on Monday called on Congress to move to postpone the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections from 2025 to 2026. Galvez pointed out the need for more time to address legal, administrative and socioeconomic challenges facing the BARMM. He highlighted the significant impact of the Supreme Court's decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM. The ruling has created uncertainty for over 5,000 government workers in Sulu and placed billions in allocated funds for development projects at risk. Galvez stressed the importance of ensuring continued support for Sulu's growth, calling it the "heart of the Bangsamoro identity." He argued that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) requires additional time to amend its Electoral Code and address legal obligations under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). He said meaningful public consultations and legislative processes would require at least three readings in parliament, requiring significant time and effort. Galvez stressed that the extension would allow for further progress in disarming combatants, decommissioning MILF members, and implementing peace-building programs. He said the BTA has yet to finalize key regional codes, including the Revenue Code and the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Code, which are crucial for establishing a strong governance framework before the first BARMM elections. A legislative measure is needed to formalize the integration of newly established municipalities in the SGA into BARMM's governance structure, said Galvez as he urged Congress to provide adequate time to pass this legislation. He emphasized the global significance of the Bangsamoro peace process as a model for conflict resolution and development. "By resetting the elections to 2026, we provide both the national and BARMM governments the time to fulfill their commitments under signed peace agreements," he said, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s sentiment that prioritizing correctness over speed is vital in such critical transitions.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez on Monday called on Congress to move to postpone the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections from 2025 to 2026.
Galvez pointed out the need for more time to address legal, administrative and socioeconomic challenges facing the BARMM.
He highlighted the significant impact of the Supreme Court's decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM. The ruling has created uncertainty for over 5,000 government workers in Sulu and placed billions in allocated funds for development projects at risk.
Galvez stressed the importance of ensuring continued support for Sulu's growth, calling it the "heart of the Bangsamoro identity."
He argued that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) requires additional time to amend its Electoral Code and address legal obligations under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
He said meaningful public consultations and legislative processes would require at least three readings in parliament, requiring significant time and effort.
Galvez stressed that the extension would allow for further progress in disarming combatants, decommissioning MILF members, and implementing peace-building programs.
He said the BTA has yet to finalize key regional codes, including the Revenue Code and the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Code, which are crucial for establishing a strong governance framework before the first BARMM elections.
A legislative measure is needed to formalize the integration of newly established municipalities in the SGA into BARMM's governance structure, said Galvez as he urged Congress to provide adequate time to pass this legislation.
He emphasized the global significance of the Bangsamoro peace process as a model for conflict resolution and development.
"By resetting the elections to 2026, we provide both the national and BARMM governments the time to fulfill their commitments under signed peace agreements," he said, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s sentiment that prioritizing correctness over speed is vital in such critical transitions.
