Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima on Tuesday stressed the need for a law setting the date for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections, following concerns raised by COMELEC Chair Atty. George Erwin Garcia.
De Lima called the timing issue a “very troubling concern” during the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms hearing.
Garcia noted that without a redistricting law by November 30, it would be “very difficult” for COMELEC to conduct polls by March, as filing of candidacies must begin in the first week of January and ballots printed by the first week of February.
“Why will the parliament pass a districting law when there is no law yet passed by Congress? Which will come first? That will be the problem,” Garcia said.
He also cited the Supreme Court’s order postponing BARMM elections, urging Congress to enact a law to reschedule the polls: “With utmost respect, We urge the Members of Congress to exercise their legislative authority and promptly enact a law that would reschedule the BARMM Parliamentary Elections… the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections should be conducted, as much as practicable, not later than March 31, 2026, to ensure adequate preparations for the latter.”
Garcia warned this would be the shortest preparation period in COMELEC history.