“If we really want peace, let the Bangsamoro people freely choose their own leaders through the elections in May 2025.”

Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman expressed opposition to the decision of the bicameral conference committee resetting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections from May 12 to Oct. 13 of this year, insisting the people in the region should exercise their sacred right to choose their leaders.

Hataman, who was part of the bicameral discussions today, did not sign the committee report, citing his firm stance against postponing the elections and altering the term of office of elected officials.

“Hindi tayo sang-ayon sa pagpapaliban ng eleksyon dahil ito ay isang mahalagang proseso sa ating demokrasya. Dapat nang ipagkaloob sa mga mamamayan ng BARMM ang kanilang karapatang bumoto at pumili ng kanilang mga magiging pinuno,” Hataman said.

The lawmaker underscored the need for accountability in governance, saying that it is time for the people of BARMM to directly elect their leaders after the transition period.

“Sapat na ang mahigit anim na taon ng transition. Ang eleksyon ay isang paraan upang magkaroon ng pananagutan sa mamamayan ang kung sino man ang mamamahala sa BARMM. Hindi natin pwedeng gawing normal ang patuloy na pagpapaliban ng halalan,” he added.

Apart from opposing the election postponement, Hataman also rejected a significant result of resetting the elections that effectively shortens the term of office of those who will be elected in October 2025.

“Ang mandato ng ating Saligang Batas ay malinaw: tatlong taon ang termino ng mga halal na opisyal sa lokal na pamahalaan. Pero sa panukalang ito, hindi nila matatapos ang kanilang full term,” he argued.

According to the bicameral-approved version, those who will be elected in October 2025 will serve only until June 30, 2028, instead of completing a full three-year term until 2028.

Hataman warned that this contradicts the constitutional mandate on the tenure of local officials.

“Hindi natin maaaring baliwalain ang itinakda ng Saligang Batas. Kung may eleksyon, dapat may malinaw na mandato. Dapat may sapat na panahon ang mga halal na opisyal upang maipatupad ang kanilang mga programa,” he stressed.

He also noted that postponing the elections further weakens democratic institutions in BARMM.

“Ang demokrasya ay nakasalalay sa regular at malaya na halalan. Ang patuloy na pag-antala sa eleksyon ay isang maling precedent at maaaring magdulot ng kawalan ng tiwala sa ating electoral system,” Hataman said.

Hataman reiterated that the BARMM transition period should not be extended any further and that it is time for the region’s people to directly elect their leaders.

“Malinaw ang nakasaad sa batas na dapat may eleksyon na sa 2025. Hindi natin dapat ipagpaliban muli ang pagkakataon ng ating mga kababayan na pumili ng kanilang magiging kinatawan sa gobyerno,” he added.

Despite his opposition to the postponement, Hataman welcomed the inclusion of key provisions from the House version of the bill, particularly the funding allocation for Sulu and the automation of the BARMM elections.

“Bagama’t hindi tayo sang-ayon sa pagpapaliban ng eleksyon, nagpapasalamat tayo sa bicameral committee sa pagsang-ayon sa ating panukala na bigyan ng pondo ang Sulu sa 2025 mula sa block grant at tiyakin na automated ang eleksyon sa BARMM,” he said.

“Mahalaga ito para sa ating mga kababayan sa Sulu para siguruhin na patuloy ang serbisyo at programa ng pamahalaan para sa mamamayan,” Hataman explained.