Featured image above shows OPAPRU Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. (Credit: Joser Dumbrique/OPAPRU CPAS)
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-JZA
QUEZON CITY – Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. has expressed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity’s (OPAPRU) full support to the bill resetting the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections from May 2025 to May 2026.
In his opening statement during the hearing called for by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Rep. Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. on Monday, November 25, Galvez threw OPAPRU’s unequivocal support behind House Bill (HB) No. 11034 authored by House Speaker Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, seeking to move the 2025 BARMM elections to 2026.
“The Bangsamoro Peace Process is a shining example of what can be achieved when parties set aside differences, find common ground, and work towards inclusive solutions,” he told members of the Lower House.
“We humbly believe, your honors, that this is the same approach we must adopt as we deliberate and provide recommendations on the proposed bill to reset the BARMM elections from 2025 to 2026,” Galvez stressed.
The peace adviser outlined the reasons why the OPAPRU supports the postponement of the BARMM elections: The unintended consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to exclude Sulu in the BARMM; the need for the creation of a province for the newly formed Special Geographic Areas (SGA); the current and emerging security challenges within the region; the need for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to recalibrate the region’s codes in light of the Supreme Court ruling on Sulu and pass the remaining codes; and the need to give the Bangsamoro and national governments sufficient time to complete the transition roadmap and ensure the sustainable implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process.
“Your honors, the BARMM is a success story in the making. All of us need to ensure that the region will remain on track and continue to move forward in its journey to bring greater peace, development and stability to its people. Let us all work together to ensure that the Bangsamoro region reaches its full potential and becomes a show window of peace and development it was meant to be — not only here in the country but throughout the world,” Galvez concluded. (/)