Manila: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has called on senators to back Senate Bill 2862, which aims to postpone the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to facilitate ongoing peace and development efforts in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, during the Senate Committee on Local Government's first public hearing on the bill, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. emphasized that delaying the elections would provide the Bangsamoro Transition Authority with the necessary time to refine policies and complete the decommissioning of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants. He highlighted the importance of addressing concerns related to Sulu's exclusion from BARMM and ensuring the Bangsamoro government's resilience and preparedness. The bill, filed by Senate President Francis Escudero, proposes to move the first BARMM elections from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026. Galvez noted that OPAPRU is conducting compre hensive socioeconomic interventions in the region as part of their normalization and transformation programs, which would benefit from the election deferral. Meanwhile, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia addressed potential legal challenges linked to the BARMM elections. Under Republic Act 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Bangsamoro Parliament should include 80 representatives. Garcia raised concerns about proceeding with elections that do not comply with this requirement, particularly with Sulu's exclusion and the 63 former barangays of Cotabato province that may face disenfranchisement. Senate President Francis Escudero acknowledged that careful consideration is necessary for the bill, as it may require amendments to existing laws, including the BOL and the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act. Source: Philippines News Agency