BARMM Prepares for Historic First Parliamentary Elections Amid Political Developments

Taking the step toward self-governance, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to hold its first regional parliamentary elections on May 12, 2025. A series of legislative adjustments and postponements have shaped the region’s political landscape.

BARMM was established in early 2019 as part of a peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro people. It consists of five provinces, namely, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Background

After a two-part plebiscite on January 21 and February 6, 2019, the BARMM was officially established, replacing the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The creation of the region resulted from the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which defined the basic government structure for the region, limited to its internal governance. The organic law also provides the legal framework for governance, allowing for a unique parliamentary system different from the Philippines' presidential system.

The transition period for BARMM has already been extended once, with the first regular parliamentary elections postponed from 2022 to 2025. As such, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) serves as the interim government in the BARMM.

The region adopted a parliamentary structure known as the Bangsamoro Parliament, which is led by a Chief Minister elected by parliament members. Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim is the interim Chief Minister, leading the BTA until the first regular elections are held.

BARMM has a parliamentary system where executive and legislative branches are intertwined while the Philippine government has a presidential system with a clear separation of executive and legislative powers.

The difference reflected the unique autonomy granted to BARMM and its attempt to create a more representative system tailored to the region's diverse population and historical context.

Electoral Preparations

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) administered a six-day filing period from November 4 to 9, 2024, allowing candidates to submit their certificates of candidacy (COCs) and certificates of acceptance of nominations (CANS).

According to COMELEC, 109 aspirants intend to run for parliamentary district representative, alongside eight regional parliamentary political parties (RPPPs) preparing to participate in this historic election.

The BARMM parliament should have 80 members. It has delineated 32 parliamentary districts across various areas, including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province, and including seven in Sulu, and eight from sectoral groups, while 40 should come from party nominees.

In addressing the long-standing issue of political dynasties in the region, the upcoming BARMM elections will implement the anti-dynasty rule, which prohibits nominees of RPPPs from being related to one another within the second degree of consanguinity (relationship by blood) or affinity (relationship by marriage).

The political party may not nominate spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, children-in-law; or their relatives for seats within the same party. Otherwise, failure to comply is a ground for disqualification.

Calls for Postponement

Despite the preparations, Senate President Francis Escudero has called for a postponement of the BARMM elections to 2026. Escudero's concern stems from the Supreme Court ruling that held Sulu's exclusion from the BARMM.

The majority of the provinces ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) during the plebiscite, except for Sulu. Despite this, Sulu was included in BARMM, prompting the province to file a petition. Given Sulu’s opposition to the BOL, its inclusion in BARMM was inappropriate.

Escudero highlighted potential complications regarding representation in the parliament in a Senate press release:

“Halimbawa mayroong pito o walong kinatawan ng Sulu sa BARMM parliament, paano 'yun kung hindi na sila bahagi ng BARMM? Paaano i-a-allocate 'yun? Paano 'yung mga party-list groups na doon lahat nakarehistro at 'yung mga sectoral groups na doon din nakarehistro?”

In view of these concerns, Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 2862 and Speaker Martin Romualdez filed House Bill 11034, to further reset the first regular elections for the Bangsamoro Government until May 11, 2026, and to allow BARMM to reconfigure its jurisdictions and to reallocate parliamentary seats.

“The ruling may require a substantial correction of existing laws, particularly RA No. 11054, and the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024 (BAA No. 58, 2024), referring to the allocation of the statutory mandated eighty (80) seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament," the Senate President explained in a Senate Press Release.

Support and Opposition

To ensure fair representation and stable governance for the Bangsamoro people, the call for a one-year extension is supported by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, local chief executives in the province of Maguindanao Del Norte, and the United Bangsamoro Development Council (UBDC) led by Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Umbra Dilangalen.

However, Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu opposed the proposal, emphasizing that the delay would deprive the Bangsamoro people of their right to elect their leaders.

The Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF), the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), and the Bangsamoro Party (BaPa) led by Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, leader of the largest faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), revealed that they earnestly want for the 2025 parliamentary elections in the BARMM to proceed as scheduled.

As BARMM prepares for its inaugural parliamentary elections amid these political developments, factions within the region are advocating for the elections to proceed as scheduled.

The upcoming elections will not only determine the future governance of BARMM but also serve as a test for its democratic processes and commitment to peace.