MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it will ask the Senate to set the date for the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE).

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body will also seek the senators’ consideration of their recommendations in case the elections, scheduled for March 30, 2026, do not push through.

“So we will likewise be giving the same copy of the draft bill to our Senate, maybe they can also consider it,” Garcia said in a media interview.

On Monday, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri filed Senate Bill No. 1587, proposing to amend Section 13, Article XVI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054) and reset the BPE to March 30, 2026, with the elected officials’ terms starting at noon on April 30.

“Majority leader Zubiri was the first to file a bill. Although it is subject to debate and amendments,” Garcia added.

The Comelec chief said their proposal will also include provisions on the system, equipment, and treatment of the BPE as a special election to ensure voters can cast their ballots properly.

In a submission to the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, the poll body recommended alternative dates for the BPE, suggesting either May or late September to early October 2026.

Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to pass a new BARMM districting law by October 30, 2025, and instructed Comelec to proceed with preparations for the elections no later than March 31, 2026.

On January 13, the BTA approved Parliament Bill No. 415, which redefines the 32 parliamentary districts of BARMM.