Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8220 BY REPRESENTATIVES ADIONG, BALINDONG, DY (F.), MARCOS, MATUGAS, DALOG, CO-PILAR, MATIBAG, ARBISON (M.), HERNANDEZ (C.A.), QUIMBO, MANGUDADATU, HERNANDEZ (F.), GARBIN, EMANO, SUANSING (M.A.), DIONISIO, ACOSTA, TEVES, DAGOC, ANGARA, SUANSING (B.V.), NAVA, MOMO, TAN (J.), AMANTE, CORVERA, PANCHO, BAUTISTA (J.M.), SAGARBARRIA, ORDANES, POE, ARROGANCIA, BRIONES, GARCIA (D.), LOPEZ, AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY, CHUA-TAI, LACSON, ODUCADO, LABADLABAD, YAP (A.), DAZA, DIOKNO, MARCOLETA, LEGAZPI, RIDON AND FORTES AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DATE OF THE FIRST REGULAR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 13, ARTICLE XVI OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11054, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ORGANIC LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 13, Article XVI of Republic Act No. 11054, as amended,

otherwise known as the "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, " is hereby further amended to read as follows: "SEC. 13. [Firstl Regular Election. - The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government under this Organic Law shall be held on [October 13, 2025. The next election shall be held and synchronized with the 2028 national elections and every three (3) years thereafter] THE SECOND MONDAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE OFFICIALS FIRST ELECTED SHALL START AT NOON ON THE 30TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 AND END AT NOON ON THE 30TH DAY OF JUNE 2031. FOR THE PURPOSE OF SYNCHRONIZING THE BARMM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WITH THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS, THE REGULAR ELECTIONS FOR THE BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT SHALL BE HELD ON THE SECOND MONDAY OF MAY 2031 AND EVERY THREE (3) YEARS THEREAFTER. BEGINNING 2031, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SHALL ASSUME OFFICE AT NOON OF THE 30TH DAY OF JUNE FOLLOWING THEIR ELECTION. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)[, through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office,] shall promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of the

elections, enforce, and administer them pursuant to national law, this Organic Law, and the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. [The term of office of the officials first elected shall commence at noon of the 30th day of October next following their election.]"

SEC. 2. Holdover. - During the extension of the Transition Period, the Bangsamoro

Transition Authority (BTA) shall continue as the interim government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), unless such interim members are replaced by the President, or their tenure is shortened by their election to a different office, or by other causes. The interim members of the BTA shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified in an automated election.

SEC. 3. Use of Automated Election System. - Pursuant to this Act, the automated

election system that was employed during the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections shall likewise be employed for the conduct of the first BARMM Parliamentary Election. This includes all machines, devices, and equipment used, as well as the respective suppliers and providers involved in their operation and maintenance. The adoption of the same automated election system aims to ensure consistency, efficiency, and integrity in the electoral process for the BARMM Parliamentary Election: Provided, That in case the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall determine that the adoption of an automated election system is no longer practicable based on the surrounding circumstances prior to the BARMM Parliamentary Election, it shall have the authority to explore other modes of conducting the election such as manual election.

SEC. 4. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy. - There shall be a new period for the

filing of certificate of candidacy for parliamentary district representative, and list of nominees and certificate of acceptance of nomination with affidavit of non-affinity of duly accredited political parties or coalitions thereof: Provided, That those filed from November 4 to 9, 2024 must be refiled within the new period set: Provided, further, That the COMELEC shall have the authority to issue appropriate rules and guidelines therefor: Provided, finally, That substitution of candidates or nominees shall not be allowed, except in cases of death or disqualification, pursuant to the rules and guidelines promulgated by the COMELEC.

SEC. 5. Qualified Voters. - All qualified voters, who have been registered in the

permanent list in a precinct of the city or municipality within the BARMM based on the latest Election Registration Board hearing shall be entitled to vote in the BARMM Parliamentary Election.

SEC. 6. Assumption of Office. - For purposes of the first BARMM Parliamentary

Election, the elected officials shall assume office on December 01, 2026. In the succeeding elections, the elected officials shall assume office thirty (30) days next following the date of their election.

SEC. 7, Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act

shall be charged against any available appropriations of the COMELEC.

The BARMM Government may provide additional funding, as may be necessary, chargeable against its local funds, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 12123 is hereby repealed. All other

laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, other issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,