Basilan governor supports delaying BARMM elections to 2026

The governor of Basilan, Hadjiman Salliman, has expressed support for Senate Bill No. 2862 and House Bill No. 11034, which aim to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 7 January 2025 to 2026.

Salliman believes that resetting the election date will give voters more time to understand the new system and allow lawmakers to amend regional laws affected by a Supreme Court ruling, which removed Sulu from the core territory of BARMM.

The postponement would also provide lawmakers time to establish an additional parliamentary district in Lamitan City in Basilan as requested by local communities.

Two members of the interim Bangsamoro parliament, Baintan Ampatuan and Suharto Ambolodto, also support the postponement for similar reasons, emphasizing the need for adjustments in electoral districts due to the Supreme Court ruling.