President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially designated September 14, 2026, as a special non-working holiday across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to facilitate full community participation in the region’s inaugural regular parliamentary polls.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto issued the declaration under Proclamation No. 1395 on August 18, framing the holiday as an essential step to support local voters in exercising their electoral rights.
”In order to give the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the election and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare Monday, 14 September 2026, as a special (non-working) day,” the proclamation stated.
The parliamentary vote was locked in for September 14 through Republic Act No. 12317, an amendment to the Bangsamoro Organic Law that fixed the election date for the second Monday of the month.
Following an August 15 ambush attempt targeting BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, Malacañang reaffirmed on August 17 that the polls will move forward without delay.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the President’s commitment to advancing democratic reforms across the region.
”Katulad ng nabanggit natin na mensahe ng Pangulo, hindi po ito (ambush) makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM,” she said.
The Commission on Elections characterized the assault—where assailants fired assault weapons at Macacua’s convoy in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte—as an isolated event, noting that overall regional stability remains intact. Macacua emerged unharmed after three vehicles, including his armored SUV, took gunfire. Castro noted that the Philippine National Police is conducting a thorough investigation per presidential directives to identify the perpetrators and strengthen security protocols throughout BARMM.
The upcoming elections mark the end of multiple postponements. Originally set for May 9, 2022, the vote was initially moved to May 12, 2025, under Republic Act No. 11593, shifted again to October 13, 2025, via Republic Act No. 12123, and finally deferred to the current September 2026 date amid legal and redistricting adjustments.
These repeated extensions lengthened the operational mandate of the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
The September 14 election will complete the transition to an elected regional administration, serving as a critical milestone in the peace process.