Manila, Philippines – The first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections is easily considered as the biggest and most significant step in full attainment of the peace process agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The election aims to elect members of the parliament that will appoint the chief minister of the region—a step to achieve genuine and full autonomy of BARMM.
The BPE was originally set to be conducted along with the 2022 national elections but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lack of Bangsamoro Electoral Code.
It was rescheduled synchronously to the May 2025 elections, but was once again delayed on October 13. A recent ruling of the Supreme Court then further postponed the BPE until March 31, 2026.
Following the third postponement, many have raised questions on its impact on the peace process in BARMM.
Despite this, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez expressed confidence that the postponement will not heavily affect the status of peace and order in the region.
Citing Commission on Election results during BPE preparations, BARMM have been generally peaceful and no major election-related violence were reported.
Galvez emphasized that amid the delay, the implementation of the peace process in BARMM intensified, with its people becoming more open about the parliamentary elections.
“We have seen relative peace in the area. Nakita natin, nag-transform na talaga ‘yung mga tao. ‘Yung mga tao, they are busy making their livelihood, and at the same time, ‘yung mga ginagawa ng ating mga mechanism, they are doing it,” says Galvez.
The secretary believes that the postponement was an advantage instead, allowing more time to furnish the preparations for the first-ever BARMM Parliamentary polls.
This provided more time to strengthen peace and order in the region, further legalize independent laws, and educate its residents further.
“Mas maganda rin na mayroong mga delay na ganito, para atleast magkaroon tayo ng perfection sa legal infirmities ng Bangsamoro Act. In fact, nakita namin doon sa baba, kulang na kulang ang education sa mga tao, especially kasi this is the first time na magkakaroon tayo ng Parliamentary (elections),” he added.
OPAPRU is also studying possible tripartite agreement between the national government, BARMM Parliamentary, and the region’s local government units to ensure successful implementation of government programs.
Galvez recognized the role of LGUs in bringing government programs and services closer to the people.
“Nagkaroon kami ng revelation na kapag hindi natin in-involve ang local government, 70% ng mga projects ay hindi nagiging successful at hindi nagiging sustainable. So ang recommendation namin is to have a partnership on the implementation, dahil ang pinaka-end point talaga is the local government units,” the secretary stressed. —Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News