The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has expressed support for a proposal in Congress to move the first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) to September.
“Although the COMELEC does not have a say in the fixing of the date of elections, what is important to us is that the Bangsamoro parliamentary election will push through this year,” COMELEC chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in a statement on Friday.
The poll body emphasized that its preparations are already focused on the May 2028 national and local elections (NLE).
“Next year is our preparatory year for the 2028 NLE hence, crucial that we should be focused on this. We support any initiative of Congress on this,” Garcia added.
When asked if the commission would have enough time to prepare should the measure be approved, Garcia responded: “Yes, but I hope it becomes clear before that date if there are other laws that Parliament will pass that will affect our preparation.”
The proposal was filed by Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong and Lanao del Sur 2nd District Representative Yasser Alonto Balindong, who sought to move the Bangsamoro elections to September 28 under House Bill No. 7236.
The measure also provides that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will continue to serve as the interim government until newly elected officials assume office on December 1.
Currently, the COMELEC has scheduled the BPE for March 30, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive.