Parañaque City, Philippines — October 14, 2025 — In a significant step toward clarifying the implications of the Supreme Court ruling and ensuring the timely conduct of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, a high-level dialogue-forum was held today at SEDA Manila Bay, Aseana City,  Parañaque City.

The event, organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC), in coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders. These included members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the House and Senate Committees on Suffrage and Local Government, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the Office of the Solicitor General, the security sector, and civil society organizations such as PPCRV and NAMFREL. Regional political parties were also represented.

The forum sought to foster a shared understanding of the Supreme Court’s decision in relation to the BARMM Parliamentary Elections, facilitate consensus-building toward the conduct of the first elections before the March 31, 2026 deadline, and establish clear commitments from stakeholders regarding their roles in the electoral process.

COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia emphasized the Commission’s readiness to proceed, while acknowledging the legal constraints that hinge on parliamentary action. “Kaya lang po nakaangkla ‘yung amin pong compliance doon sa magiging aksyon naman ng ating Parliamento, with all due respect. Wala kaming maipapatupad na batas kung wala po yung batas,” Garcia stated.

Despite the absence of a finalized date, Garcia assured the Bangsamoro public of the Commission’s commitment to holding elections. “This dialogue is a guarantee to the people of Bangsamoro na meron po tayong halalan. ‘Yan po ay darating. hindi pa lang natin ma-pinpoint [sa ngayon] ‘yung eksaktong date kung kailan.”

He also acknowledged the challenges posed by recent developments, including the passing of the Parliament Speaker, which has added another layer of complexity to the transition. “Therefore, follow-up ito... Ano na ang susunod? Kaya bang mag-comply sa sinabi ng Korte Suprema ang lahat? And to think, unfortunately, namatay po kasi ang ating speaker ng Parliament at isa pa po ‘yan sa kinakailangang i-resolve ng parliamento.”

COMELEC reaffirmed its commitment to the March 31, 2026 timeline, pending further guidance from Congress and other stakeholders. “In the meantime, March 31 [2026] ang timeline ng COMELEC... As far as the COMELEC is concerned, we will proceed with the election, kailangan lang namin ng guidance pa,” Garcia explained.

To promote transparency and public engagement, Garcia proposed that future dialogues be held within the BARMM region. “Yung next natin [na dialogue], maganda nito sa Maguindanao natin dalhin... whether in Maguindanao or in Marawi... maganda mag-discuss din tayo in the presence of the people.”

He concluded by underscoring the broader significance of the electoral process. “Ito ay para sa usapang pangkapayapaan. Sa bandang huli [kung] makapag-hold tayo ng eleksyon, ‘yun na ‘yung accomplishment noong lahat ng pinaghirapan for the last several years para lang magkaroon ng isang maayos na Bangsamoro government.”

Today’s forum marked a critical step in aligning national and regional actors toward a peaceful and credible transition to parliamentary governance in BARMM. Further consultations are expected to refine the legal and logistical framework necessary to fulfill the region’s democratic aspirations. The IAG, a longtime advocate for inclusive governance and democratic transitions, reaffirmed its support for efforts like this forum. With two decades of experience fostering dialogue and strengthening institutions in the region, IAG emphasized that it will continue to stand behind collaborative, transparent processes that move the Bangsamoro closer to lasting peace and accountable regional autonomy.