Legarda welcomes enactment of RA 12317 setting BARMM elections in September 2026

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the signing into law of Republic Act No. 12317, which sets the long-awaited regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September 2026.

Legarda, author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1823, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, and Co-Chair of the Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, said the measure provides the Bangsamoro people with a clear and credible timeline to exercise their democratic rights and advance the political track of the peace process.

“This law carries both the weight of history and the promise of a better future. It affirms the right of the Bangsamoro people to freely choose their leaders and to strengthen a parliamentary government that reflects their aspirations. After decades of struggle and sacrifice, we move closer to a just and lasting peace,” Legarda said.

The four term senator emphasized that the enactment of RA 12317 honors the generations who worked tirelessly to secure peace and self-governance in Mindanao.

“This election is an opportunity for the Bangsamoro people to shape their future through democratic participation. It affirms that peace is sustained through institutions that uphold the will of the people,” she added.

RA 12317 amends Section 13, Article XVI of Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, setting the parliamentary elections on the second Monday of September 2026. (30)

Legarda, ikinagalak ang pagsasabatas ng RA 12317 na nagtatakda sa BARMM elections sa Setyembre

Ikinagalak ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang paglagda bilang batas sa Republic Act No. 12317 na nagtatakda ng matagal nang inaabangang regular parliamentary elections sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sa Setyembre 2026.

Si Legarda, na may-akda at co-sponsor ng Senate Bill No. 1823, chairperson ng Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, at co-chair ng Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, ay nagsabing nagbibigay ang batas ng malinaw at kapani-paniwalang takdang panahon para magamit ng mamamayang Bangsamoro ang kanilang demokratikong karapatan at maisulong ang political track ng peace process.

“Bitbit ng batas na ito ang bigat ng kasaysayan at ang pangako ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Pinagtitibay nito ang karapatan ng mamamayang Bangsamoro na malayang pumili ng kanilang mga lider at palakasin ang isang parliamentary government na sumasalamin sa kanilang mga mithiin. Matapos ang ilang dekadang pakikibaka at sakripisyo, mas napapalapit tayo sa makatarungan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan,” sabi ni Legarda.

Binigyang-diin ng four-term senator na kinikilala ng pagpapatibay ng RA 12317 ang mga henerasyong walang sawang nagsikap upang makamit ang kapayapaan at sariling pamamahala sa Mindanao.

“Ang halalang ito ay pagkakataon para sa mamamayang Bangsamoro na hubugin ang kanilang kinabukasan sa pamamagitan ng demokratikong pakikilahok. Pinatutunayan nito na napapanatili ang kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng mga institusyong gumagalang sa kalooban ng mamamayan,” dagdag pa niya.

Inaamyendahan ng RA 12317 ang Section 13, Article XVI ng Republic Act No. 11054 o Bangsamoro Organic Law at itinatakda ang parliamentary elections sa ikalawang Lunes ng Setyembre 2026. (30)