COTABATO CITY — A bloc of political parties has urged Congress to ensure the resignation of Bangsamoro officials once they aspire for seats in the parliament if the 2025 parliamentary election is reset to 2026 via a legislative measure.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Grand Coalition (BGC) said in a statement released on Wednesday that it is unlawful for members of the BARMM parliament and officials of regional agencies to remain in their posts after filing certificates of candidacy for seats in the parliament during the upcoming political exercise.

Senate President Francis G. Escudero and House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez have filed Senate Bill 2864 and House Bill 11034, respectively, as enabling measures for the postponement of next year’s first ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to 2026.

There is mounting perception, among groups that are not allies of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) that the bills filed by Mr. Escudero and Mr. Romualdez might possibly allow the holdover of BARMM officials who are to aspire for seats in the regional parliament.

The president of the UBJP is the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Ahod B. Ebrahim, the appointed chief minister of the Bangsamoro region.

The BGC, comprised of the regional parties Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP), which is a pioneer political party in BARMM that has more than 600,000 documented members and supporters, the Bangsamoro People’s Party, and the Al Ittihad-Ungaya sa Kwagib Nu Bangsamoro, said it is unlawful for appointed government officials to remain in their posts while aspiring for any elective position.

All of the 80 current members of the Bangsamoro parliament are presidential appointees.

The BGC said allowing them to remain in their positions after filing certificates of candidacy would violate restrictions clearly stated in the Philippine Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code. — John Felix M. Unson

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