COTABATO CITY – The government would need at least PHP1 billion to hold a separate Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), in case its original schedule set for May 2025 is postponed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said this amount is only for manual polls, with the cost expected to balloon to up to PHP3 billion if the polls are automated.
“Dito kasi sa gagawin nating halalan sa Mayo 12, 2025, naka-ride lang ang Bangsamoro sa national and local elections kaya di ganoong kagastos. Parehas lang din ng gastos kasi parehas ang teachers, machines at election paraphernalia na gagamitin (For this election that we are holding on May 12, 2025, the Bangsamoro polls would also be held simultaneously with the national and local elections so it is less costly. We only have the same cost because it would be the same teachers that would serve and the same machines and election paraphernalia would be used),” he said in a press conference held at the Bangsamoro Electoral Office here during the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), list of nominees, and Certificates of Acceptance of Nomination (CANs) for regional parliamentary political parties (RPPP).
He, however, said the poll body has always a “plan B” in the event of a postponement.
Garcia said their visit only shows that the scheduled polls will push through.
“No less than the Comelec officials are present, gusto natin pakita sa lahat na dapat magsimula na sila mag file ng COC at gusto natin i-guarantee na maayos at tahimik ang magiging filing ng COC natin (we want to show everyone that they should start filing their COC and we would guarantee that the COC filing would be orderly and peaceful),” he added.
A total of 73 BARMM parliamentary seats are up for grabs in the first BPE on May 12, 2025.
These are composed of 40 seats for regional political parties, 25 seats for parliamentary districts and eight seats for sectoral organizations.
The COC filing period will conclude on November 9.
Meanwhile, Garcia said a law should be passed to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and eventually postpone the BPE.
“Again, wala sa part ng Comelec ang decision (The decision is not up to the Comelec). That is political in character, it is best reserved to the judgment of Congress or Bangsamoro parliament,” he added.
Republic Act 11593 provides for the holding of the first regular Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to coincide with the 2025 midterm polls, with the term of the current members of the BTA to expire on June 30 next year.
The Bangsamoro parliament earlier asked lawmakers to postpone anew the regional elections to reconfigure the region’s new jurisdiction.
This came after the Supreme Court ruled that Sulu province is not a part of the BARMM. (PNA)