Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri has urged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure the peaceful and credible conduct of the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliament election, scheduled for October 13, 2025. The election marks a pivotal moment for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as it prepares to elect its first full parliamentary body under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Zubiri, principal author and sponsor of the BOL, emphasized the delicate nature of the region’s political landscape. “We are walking on a thin line pagdating sa possible escalation of violence between the government and the former rebel forces who are now our partners because of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” he said during the 2026 budget deliberations for COMELEC.

COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia reported that preparations are in full swing, with ballots already printed and ready for deployment across BARMM. Despite some municipalities in Maguindanao and Basilan being flagged under the red category—indicating potential election-related violence—Garcia assured the public that the region remains “generally peaceful.”

However, Garcia acknowledged two critical challenges facing the election: the reallocation of seven parliamentary seats previously assigned to Sulu, and the unprecedented inclusion of a “none of the above” option on the ballot.

Following a Supreme Court ruling that excluded Sulu from BARMM, COMELEC will proceed with electing only 73 of the 80 parliamentary seats originally mandated by the BOL. The Bangsamoro Parliament had passed legislation to reallocate the seven Sulu seats, but the timing was too late for COMELEC to adjust its logistics. These seats will now be appointed by the President.

Zubiri warned that improper handling of redistricting could lead to disenfranchisement and unrest. “We have to ensure that with the redistricting, no community is left disenfranchised in the BARMM,” he said. “Otherwise, we may be unwittingly creating the conditions for conflict in the region.”

The inclusion of a “none of the above” option—an electoral first in the Philippines—has raised questions about its impact on party list computations and overall election outcomes. Garcia noted that the provision introduces uncertainty and requires careful legal and procedural consideration.

Zubiri concluded with a call for vigilance and sound judgment: “We hope that the COMELEC can make sound judgements on the ground, so we can keep the peace in the Bangsamoro region, and in all of Mindanao.”