Senate ratifies bicam report resetting first BARMM polls to September

The Senate on Tuesday, March 18, ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill resetting the first regular Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections to September.

- DHEL NAZARIO

“To our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, ito na po ang hinihintay ninyo (this is what you have been waiting for). The promise of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was always to recognize the Bangsamoro people's right to self-determination, and that includes the people's right to choose their own leaders,” Zubiri, principal author and sponsor of the Senate measure, stressed during the ratification of the bicam report.

“After years and years of delays, here it is, finally, it will happen. As Eid'l Fitr approaches, I hope this stands as a meaningful gift to our brothers and sisters in the BARMM, the long-awaited chance for them to choose their own leaders and help shape the future of their region,” he added.