Manila, March 2 -- Senators on Monday unanimously approved a bill resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to September 2026.

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Bill No. 1823 moves the first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government to the second Monday of September 2026, and every three years thereafter.

Under the bill, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will continue to serve as the interim government during the extended transition period, unless its members are replaced by the President or their tenure is shortened by election to another office.

The measure also provides that the automated election system used in the May 12, 2025 nati...