MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 48, July 01, 2026

[ MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 48, July 01, 2026 ]

CONCURRENCE OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE DEPUTATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE 14 SEPTEMBER 2026 BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

WHEREAS, Section 13, Article XVI of Republic Act (RA) No. 11054 or the "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)," as amended by RA No. 12317, provides that the first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government shall be held on the second Monday of September 2026;

WHEREAS, on 06 May 2026, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) En Banc, through Resolution No. 11222, resolved to request the President's concurrence in the deputation of law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), in connection with the 14 September 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE);

WHEREAS, Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the Constitution empowers the COMELEC to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections;

WHEREAS, Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all Executive departments, bureaus, and offices;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, and as requested in COMELEC Resolution No. 11222, hereby CONCUR with the COMELEC's deputation of the ADP, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government in connection with the conduct of the 14 September 2026 BPE.

Consistent with their respective mandates, the foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the COMELEC in the performance of their duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Six.

(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(SGD.) RALPH G. RECTO Acting Executive Secretary