President Marcos resets BARMM polls to September 2026

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to the second Monday of September 2026.

Under Republic Act No. 12317, the transition period has been extended, allowing the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to continue governing unless replaced by the President, elected to a different office, or replaced by elected officials.

“For the purpose of synchronizing the BARMM Parliamentary Elections with the national and local elections, the regular elections for the Bangsamoro Government shall be held on the second Monday of May 2031 and every three years thereafter,” the law stated.

The law mandated the Commission on Elections to promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections, enforce, and administer in accordance with the national law, Organic Law, and the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

The law also states that the automated election system used in the May 2025 national and local elections will be employed for the conduct of the first BARMM elections.

“There shall be a new period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for parliamentary district representatives and the list of nominees and certificates of acceptance of nomination with affidavits of non-affinity by duly accredited political parties or coalitions,” the law said.

All qualified voters registered in the permanent list in a precinct of the city or municipality within the BARMM based on the latest Election Registration Board hearing will be entitled to vote in the BARMM polls.

The term of office of the officials elected in the BARMM parliamentary elections will start at noon on October 30, 2026 and end on June 30, 2031.

Beginning 2031, the elected officials will assume office at noon on June 30 following their election. | PND