“BARRM Elections to be suspended?”

This as the Senate resumes its session this week, on the proposed 2025 national budget and the possible postponement of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in an interview with DZBB, highlighted the need to address both the region’s representation issues and budget utilization.

The postponement of the BARMM elections stems from a recent Supreme Court decision affecting the province of Sulu, which would no longer be part of BARMM.

“Ang intensyon [ay] ipagpaliban ang eleksyon…dahil halimbawa, mayroong pito o walong kinatawan ng Sulu sa BARMM parliament. Paano ‘yun, eh hindi na sila bahagi ng BARMM?” Escudero explained. The decision has implications for party-list and sectoral groups registered within the BARMM parliament, necessitating thorough consultation with stakeholders to maintain peace in the region.

Escudero plans to author a bill proposing the election postponement, which is expected to be filed on Monday (Nov. 4) and deliberated in a Senate hearing on Thursday, following the required three-day notice.

“Importanteng magawa yan para mabigyan ng notipikasyon ang ating mga kababayan doon sa BARMM kaugnay ng balakin ng Kongresong ipagpaliban ang election,” he stated, adding that the delay is essential to address representation and electoral adjustments that will affect communities within BARMM.

In addition to the election concerns, Escudero also raised issues regarding BARMM’s budget utilization, noting that only about 40-50 percent of its annual budget is being used. “Kung ganyan kababa ang kanilang paggastos, sayang ulit yung fiscal space na ibinibigay sa kanila,” Escudero said, urging an examination of why the region has been unable to fully utilize its allocated funds. He suggested that these unused funds could potentially be redirected to other urgent national programs, benefiting broader public needs.

He further emphasized that BARMM’s unspent funds could support other government initiatives while the region’s budget spending is under review. “Hindi natin ibinababa o tinatanggal yung pondo pero pwedeng gamitin muna sa iba dahil na nga rin na ayaw nating patuloy tumaas ang ating utang,” Escudero remarked, suggesting reallocation to high-priority sectors such as education and infrastructure.

The Senate aims to resolve these issues before the end of the session in November, ensuring that every peso in the budget serves the public effectively and addresses the immediate needs of the country.

Escudero is targeting to finish important issues and prioritize the national budget before the year 2024 ends.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Camille P. Balagtas