Manila, Aug. 21 -- Malacanang has declared Sept. 14, 2026 a special non-working day in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to ensure residents' full participation in the region's inaugural parliamentary elections.

The holiday declaration was contained in Proclamation No. 1395, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Aug. 18, by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The declaration aims to give BARMM voters the opportunity to take part in the electoral process.

"In order to give the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the election and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare Monday, 14 Septemb...