JV Ejercito proposes August 2025 schedule for BARMM polls to ensure smooth transition
January 22, 2025
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito has sponsored Senate Bill No. 2942, seeking to reset the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to August 11, 2025, three months from its supposed schedule.
The proposed bill amends Article XVI, Section 13 of Republic Act No. 11054, also known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to synchronize future elections with the 2028 national polls and every three years thereafter.
"After careful deliberation and consultations with all stakeholders, we have crafted a committee report that is both inclusive and acceptable," Ejercito said.
The lawmaker emphasized that while the right to vote is paramount, the proposed adjustment serves a greater purpose.
"This bill does not seek to deny anyone their right to vote. Instead, it proposes a reasonable adjustment to give the Commission on Elections significant time to prepare and the current Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to wind up their transactions,” Ejercito said.
Under the measure, the BTA members will serve until their successors are elected and sworn into office.
Ejercito added that the extension will address uncertainties regarding the status and salaries of BTA employees.
The bill, which is principally authored by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, will also automatically consider candidates who filed for the 2024 elections as nominees for the 2025 polls.
Once enacted, the measure aims to streamline nationwide electoral processes and provide the Bangsamoro region a steady and effective path toward self-governance.
"I hope this measure reflects the collective aspirations of our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters," Ejercito concluded.
In November last year, Ejercito, as the chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government led the hearing on the proposed measure, which was attended by representatives from the affected local government units.