SOME colleagues and relatives have asked me recently about the progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) transition government. With a pessimistic tone, a friend also raised the following question: 'Is it going to be another failed experiment like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)?' My frequent replies to these queries are: The region is OK, it's moving forward, and I am optimistic that it will succeed in meeting its goals and agenda of establishing the necessary structures, legislation, policies and programs when its three-year extension period ends, in time to participate peacefully and democratically in the country's next national and local elections in May 2025. I have some evidence that supports my optimism.

A law (Republic Act 11593) was signed in October 2021 by then-president Rodrigo extending the term of Bangsamoro's transition government from June 2022 to May 2025. The extension was largely attributed to the unexpected deleterious effects of Covid-19 on all social institutions and on the people's mobility in the region, which resulted in the non-completion of many commitments and important legislations, especially the electoral code, which is crucial in holding the first election of parliament members in May 2022.