The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Thursday said it is awaiting the passage of legislation that will officially set the date for the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
“Both the Senate and HoR versions set the 1st Parliamentary Elections in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on the second Monday of September 2026 (September 14, 2026). We are awaiting its passage into law,” the poll body said in a statement.
Senate Bill No. 1823 has already passed on third reading, while House Bill No. 8220 was approved on second reading.
WATCHDOG REACTION
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) welcomed the swift action of both chambers in advancing the measures.
“It is a welcome development for the rescheduling of the Bangsamoro elections in September 2026,” the group said.
However, LENTE raised concerns over provisions concerning the scheduling of subsequent parliamentary elections. The Senate version sets the next BPE in 2031, while the House version sets it in 2029.
The watchdog argued that the next elections should instead be held in May 2028, synchronized with the national and local polls, consistent with existing jurisprudence.
“After the September 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections, the succeeding elections must be held in May 2028,” LENTE said.
“Proposals to hold the next elections in 2031 (Senate version) or 2029 (House version) depart from this principle and risk further disrupting the regular electoral cycle in the region,” the group added.