Romer Butuyan 
MATAPOS ang makailang ulit ng pagpapaliban, tuloy na tuloy na ang pagdaraos ng kauna-unahang parliamentary election sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Ito ang tiniyak ni House Speaker Faustino Dy III at Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong matapos pormal na lagdaan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang Republic Act 12317 na nagtatakda ng halalan sa naturang rehiyon.
Para kay Dy, makasaysayan ang paglagda ng Pangulo sa batas na nagbibigay-daan sa mas maayos, matatag at katanggap-tanggap na demokratikong transisyon sa naturang rehiyon.
“The signing of this law strengthens the foundations of the Bangsamoro political system and ensures that the first regular parliamentary elections are conducted in a credible, orderly, and well-prepared manner,” wika ni Dy.
“The goal is to implement the transition properly. We are working to ensure that when the Bangsamoro people choose their leaders, it is under a system that is ready, credible, and fully prepared to carry their mandate,” dugtong ng House Speaker.
Ang pagpapalawig aniya sa transition period ay magbibigay din sa BARMM institutions ng sapat na panahon upang mapagtibay ang governance mechanisms at matapos ang mga kinakailangan paghahanda sa gaganaping first regular parliamentary elections.
“The law also ensures continuity in governance by allowing the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to remain in place until duly elected officials assume office,” aniya pa.
“Wala pong puwang ang pagkaantala sa serbisyong kailangan ng mamamayan. Tinitiyak ng batas na ito na tuluy-tuloy po ang maayos na pamamahala habang inihahanda natin ang isang makasaysayang halalan para sa Bangsamoro.”
Sa panig ni Adiong, na pangunahing nagsulong sa Kamara ng BARMM polls resetting at chairman ng House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, lubos ang kanyang pasasalamat kay Pangulong Marcos sa maituturing na landmark legislation.
“This law is of vital importance to the BARMM. It ensures an orderly and credible transition to a fully elected Parliament, giving our people the genuine democratic participation they deserve,” paliwanag ng House panel head.
Sa ilalim ng RA 12317 itinakda ang first regular BARMM parliamentary elections sa pangalawang Lunes ng Setyembre 2026, sa bisa ng pag-amyenda sa Section 13, Article XVI ng Republic Act 11054 (Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).
“This measure addresses critical logistical and administrative challenges, providing the Commission on Elections, the Bangsamoro Government, and all stakeholders with sufficient time to prepare for a successful, inclusive, and peaceful election,” ayon pa kay Adiong.
Paglalahad ng Lanao del Sur lawmaker, ang bagong batas ay bahagi ng LEDAC priority measures ng Marcos administration, na nagpapakita rin sa pagbibigay kahalagahan ng Chief Executive na magkaroon ng maayos transisyon para sa full parliamentary democracy ng BARMM.
“By synchronizing future BARMM parliamentary elections with the national and local election cycle, RA 12317 paves the way for deeper democratic engagement, better voter education, proper district apportionment, and full implementation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code,” saad pa ni Adiong.
