MANILA, Philippines — Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has warned of a possible “backlash” if the May 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections are postponed.

In a text message to reporters on Monday, Zubiri recalled how they had promised BARMM residents during the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that it was “only an extension due to the pandemic where they would not have been able to carry out their duties due to the confinements.” .”

“I also know that an extension is not popular with local elected leaders and could provoke backlash and so we should study this proposal very carefully,” he added.

He said that as the main author of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, he found it justifiable then, but he stressed that today it is a different story.

“We promised then, during the extension, that we would only do it once (so as not to) subjugate the real will of the people, which can only be determined through an electoral process. So we need to know what is their justification for the extension and whether it deserves an extension,” Zubiri said.

Article continues after this ad

“I also know that an extension is not popular with local elected leaders and could provoke backlash and so we should study this proposal very carefully,” he added.

Article continues after this ad

His remarks came after Senate President Francis Escudero expressed his intention to table a bill to postpone the BARMM legislative elections in May 2025 following the recent Supreme Court decision removing Sulu province from the region.

Zubiri said he would wait for Escudero’s explanation on the matter.

He noted, however, that due to the Senate’s “tight legislative timetable” due to budget deliberations and the approach of elections, postponing the BARMM parliamentary elections through a bill “would be a very difficult task to accomplish “.