Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero is hoping that the House of Representatives would adopt the Senate bill seeking to defer elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified the Senate BARMM poll postponement bill. It has been approved on second reading.
In an interview on Thursday, Jan. 30, Escudero was asked if the House is willing to adopt the Senate version resetting the BARMM parliamentary polls to Oct. 13 instead of simultaneously with the May 12 midterm elections.
The House approved in December moving the BARMM polls for a year.
“I would hope so (House adopting Senate bill) given that we carried the preferred period of the Executive Branch which, in turn, was the product of much debate and discussion principally among our security and election officials,” Escudero said.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong, whose province is part of BARMM, noted that the president’s certification is “crucial in advancing the legislative process without undue delays.”
He, however, said the lower chamber believes a year “is the most practical timeline” to address the redistribution of parliament seats reserved for Sulu and the special geographic area in North Cotabato that will require months of public consultations.
The Supreme Court earlier ruled that Sulu is excluded from the BARMM.
“We have to be conscious about the practicality of time for the parliament to resolve these matters before we proceed with holding an election,” Adiong told NewsWatch Plus in a message.
Adiong said he is looking forward to working with other lawmakers in crafting the final version of the bill that “reflects the best interests of our constituents and fulfills the objectives we collectively seek to achieve.”
