Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has expressed appreciation for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to sign a bill that delays the region’s inaugural parliamentary elections. Ebrahim highlighted the move as supportive of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s efforts to solidify the region’s self-governance framework. This marks the second delay for the BARMM’s first parliamentary vote. Initially, amendments to the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2022 had shifted the election date to align with the national local and midterm elections in May 2025. However, a Supreme Court decision to exclude Sulu from BARMM, coupled with the region’s wish to reincorporate the province for historical reasons, prompted another postponement to October 23, 2025. The BARMM now comprises the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, following Sulu’s exclusion.
