MANILA — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) conducted the second dialogue-forum on the Supreme Court ruling and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, aiming to build consensus on a roadmap for the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE).

The forum, held at SEDA Manila Bay Ayala in Aseana City, Parañaque, was organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) in coordination with COMELEC.

Participants included leaders of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, House and Senate Committees on Suffrage and Local Governments, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), the Office of the Solicitor General, security sector representatives, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and regional political parties.

The forum aimed to promote a common understanding of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the BARMM Parliamentary Elections, facilitate dialogue on holding the first BPE before March 31, 2026, and identify the commitments and critical roles of key stakeholders.

COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said that moving forward is a priority. “Kaya lang po nakaangkla ‘yung amin pong compliance doon sa magiging aksyon naman ng ating Parlamento, with all due respect. Wala kaming maipapatupad na batas kung wala po ‘yung batas,” he said.

Garcia assured the public that the BARMM Parliamentary Elections will take place. “This dialogue is a guarantee to the people of Bangsamoro na meron po tayong halalan. ‘Yan po ay darating, hindi pa lang natin ma-pinpoint [sa ngayon] ‘yung eksaktong date kung kailan,” he added.

He also noted the challenges ahead, including the recent passing of the Parliament Speaker, which the forum participants said needs resolution to proceed. “Therefore, follow-up ito… Ano na ang susunod? Kaya bang mag-comply sa sinabi ng Korte Suprema ang lahat? And to think, unfortunately, namatay po kasi ang ating speaker ng Parliament at isa pa po ‘yan sa kinakailangang i-resolve ng parlamento,” Garcia said.

COMELEC maintains March 31, 2026, as the current timeline and will finalize the election date through consultative dialogues with all stakeholders, including Congress. Garcia suggested holding future dialogues in BARMM, such as in Maguindanao or Marawi, to ensure transparency and public engagement.

The forum also highlighted the involvement of Congress in enacting a law to fix the election date and resolve issues related to the term of office, which was shortened when the October 13, 2025, BPE was canceled following the Supreme Court decision. Under RA 12232, the term of office for elected BARMM Parliament members was to begin at noon on October 30, 2025.