Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The State asserts that peace is essential to elections and mandates the government to actively pursue the peace process in Mindanao.

SEC. 2. The regular elections for the regional governor, vice governor and members of the regional legislative assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) set forth under Republic Act No. 8753 on the second Monday of September 2000 is hereby reset to coincide with the general elections to be held on the second Monday of May 2001. Elections shall be held three (3) years thereafter pursuant to Republic Act No. 6734 otherwise known as the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

SEC. 3. The term of office of the regional governor, regional vice governor and members of the regional legislative assembly shall commence at noon of the 30th day of June 2001 next following their election and shall expire at noon of the 30th day of June three (3) years thereafter.

SEC. 4. All incumbent officials of the Autonomous Region shall hold office pursuant to existing laws.

SEC. 5. If any of the provisions of this Act is held unconstitutional, provisions not affected shall remain valid and binding.

SEC. 6. All laws, decrees and all other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect upon approval by the President.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON	(Sgd.) MANUEL B. VILLAR JR.
President of the Senate	Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on August 22, 2000.

(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES	(Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary of the Senate	Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: September 1, 2000.