The One Bangsamoro Movement (1Bangsa) has expressed full support for Senate Bill No. 1587, sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Migz Zubiri, calling the measure crucial to restoring democratic legitimacy in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a statement released on February 11, 2026, 1Bangsa emphasized that repeated postponements of Bangsamoro elections have weakened public trust and threatened the gains of the peace process. The group noted that elections originally scheduled in May 2022 under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054) were deferred multiple times—first to May 2025 under RA 11593, then to October 2025 under RA 12123, and most recently to March 2026.
During a recent Senate hearing, Atty. Latiph pointed out that elections in the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and now BARMM have been postponed a total of eleven times. 1Bangsa warned that this pattern of delays could erode institutions, weaken governance, and undermine confidence in the democratic process in the region.
Quoting Senator Zubiri’s warning, “Let us not wait until the ballot is replaced by bullets,” the group stressed the urgency of holding elections to preserve peace and democratic order. It also echoed Senator Robin Padilla’s remark that “If there is no election, there is no government,” underscoring the need for leaders to secure a renewed mandate from the people.
1Bangsa further highlighted Senator Loren Legarda’s statement that “The Philippines is not complete without the Bangsamoro,” framing the issue as both a regional and national concern tied to the country’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and lasting peace.
According to the group, Senate Bill No. 1587 goes beyond being an election measure and serves as a reaffirmation of the State’s commitment under the Bangsamoro Organic Law to uphold the right to self-determination. The BOL, born from decades of struggle, negotiations, and dialogue, envisions governance grounded in the people’s consent through the ballot rather than prolonged appointments or extensions.
The organization stressed that meaningful autonomy within national sovereignty can only be sustained through legitimate elections, allowing the Bangsamoro people to choose their leaders and fully participate in shaping their future. The statement, signed by Maulana “Alan” A. Balangi, National President of 1Bangsa and Lead Convener of the 1Bangsamoro Coalition, said supporting the bill means choosing “democracy over delay, ballots over bullets, and peace rooted in legitimacy rather than uncertainty.”
