BARMM elections delayed to Oct 13, 2025; House ratifies bill

Escudero and other officials have agreed to delay the first-ever elections for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) until October 13, 2025.

The House of Representatives ratified a bicameral conference committee report on Wednesday finalizing the bill that sets the BARMM Regional Elections for October 13, 2025, with subsequent elections synchronized every three years thereafter.

This legislative measure, certified as urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reflects the necessity of ensuring a smooth and well-prepared transition before the region holds its first parliamentary elections.

The bill will be effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, unlike other laws which take effect 15 days after completion of newspaper publication.

Further, the measure provides ample time for the BARMM to address legal and security concerns that directly impact the integrity and inclusivity of the electoral process, including the exclusion of Sulu from the region.

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members will continue to serve as interim officials until their successors are elected and qualified, and individuals who have already filed their certificates of candidacies for the May 12 elections will automatically be considered candidates for October 13.