Comelec eyes BARMM sectoral polls in September

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to hold a separate election for eight sectoral representatives for the Bangsamoro parliament in September.

“All (accredited) organizations belonging to the same sector will gather together for one day and elect their representatives in parliament,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said. “We can expect that by September, these organizations will be able to elect eight representatives.”

As provided under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament shall have eight elected sectoral representatives – two seats each for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities; and one seat each for women, youth, traditional leaders and the Ulama.

The selection of sectoral representatives is done during assemblies called by registered and accredited organizations of women, settlers, youth, Ulama, traditional leaders and the indigenous peoples.

“For the first parliamentary election in 2025, they will be the only ones who will vote among themselves. That is, all organizations belonging to the same sector that have been accredited by the Comelec,” Garcia said.

He added that although about 1,500 organizations have sought accreditation, the Comelec has currently accredited only 200.

The Comelec will hold the first BARMM parliamentary elections on Oct. 13, wherein voters will elect 40 seats for the regional parliament political parties and 25 for district representatives.

Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting hopes that if the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election (BSKE) this year is moved to November 2026 due to the BARMM polls, the postponement will be the last, PPCRV chairperson Evelyn Singson said.

She told Radio Veritas that extending the terms of office of BSK officials “erodes public trust and undermines accountability.”

“That said, it is imperative that this be the last. The sanctity of our democratic process rests on the certainty of regular elections. The extension of terms of office erodes public trust and undermines accountability,” Singson said.

“Our citizens must be assured that elected officials will serve only within their rightful mandate and that their performance will be judged through the ballot, at regular and fixed intervals,” she added.

She said the PPCRV understands the postponement of the BSKE if this would allow the Comelec to concentrate on ensuring a credible, orderly and successful BARMM elections.

The law postponing the BSKE faces a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. — Evelyn Macairan