Senate approves rescheduling BARMM elections to Oct 13, 2025

On Tuesday, the Senate approved on second reading a bill rescheduling the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections from May 12, 2025, to October 13, 2025.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III was the sole vote against the proposal, arguing that resetting the election date would permanently desynchronize it from national and local polls.

The bill's second reading version was amended based on security officials' recommendations and the need for additional processes due to Sulu’s exclusion from BARMM.

Under the latest Senate bill version, future elections will be synchronized with national elections in 2028 and every three years thereafter.

Senate President Francis Escudero explained that this amendment aims to address security concerns and procedural delays.

The proposed date differs from the House of Representatives' suggestion to defer the polls until May 2026, necessitating a bicameral conference committee for reconciliation.