The first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) are now on track for September 2026 after the House of Representatives unanimously approved the measure on third and final reading.
Voting 247-0, with two abstentions, lawmakers passed House Bill No. 8220 during Tuesday’s (March 10) plenary session.
The bill amends Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054) and now awaits the signature of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to become law.
Once President Marcos signs the bill, the region will hold its first parliamentary elections on the second Monday of September 2026 and every three years thereafter.
To avoid a leadership vacuum, the measure allows the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to continue serving as the region’s interim government during the extended transition period. BTA members will remain in office unless replaced by the President or if they vacate their posts.
READ: Palace urges house to fast-track Barmm poll reset
The bill also mandates the same automated election system used in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections to ensure consistency and integrity in the voting process.
Anton Lagdameo Jr., Special Assistant to the President, relayed a message from President Marcos stressing that the successful conduct of the BARMM elections remains a priority of the administration.
He said the President considers the first parliamentary elections a crucial milestone in completing the region’s political transition, noting that an elected parliament will strengthen democratic autonomy in Barmm.
“The first Barmm parliamentary elections will be a historic moment not just for the region but for the entire nation.
"It is an opportunity for the Bangsamoro people to directly shape their parliament and prove that democracy in the region is strong,” Lagdameo said.
The Senate had earlier approved a counterpart measure to reset the elections, authored by Juan Miguel Zubiri.
